Yesterday I posted a message over in the "Streamer" folder asking why people don't want to attend CPH events. So far, there have been no replys and I'm not surprised. Mainstream reenactors have learned to be extremely defensive about their hobby, which is also my hobby much of the time. We've been doing a series of posts on the CPH Folder, for folks who might like to take a swing at CPH reenacting and I think that's great. There no reason to be concerned about attending a CPH event, if you want to give it a try. There is also no reason to be defensive if the CPH side of the hobby isn't your cup of tea.

Lets be realistic, there's a lot more people doing Mainstream events than CPH and the reason isn't always the fear of trying. Most of the guys in my Mainstream unit have attended CPH events. Their ability to drill and their kits were more than acceptable at the CPH events they attended. Some of them enjoyed the experience and continue attending CPH events. Others basically told me, "You've got to be kidding, that really sucked" and they haven't been back. I certainly understand both attitudes. Sleeping on the ground and eating period rations just isn't for some people, for lots of reasons.  

Remember, when someone says he only attends the "better" events, ask yourself better for whom? Maybe for you, or maybe not. It's all about what you want from the hobby. They're your weekends!

For me, at least, there are only two sins. Not telling people the truth about what you do and lying to yourself about what you are doing. No matter where you fit on the authenticity scale!

"Streamers" don't use the internet as much neither...

I'll reply to this.
Most people are kinda hesitant to reply to this, because they are afraid of getting beat up(verbally) in that old us vs. them issue.  And the mainstreams use the net a ton.  Take for instance me.  I lurked for a long time before deciding to join and and felt confidant enough to  reply.

Now on to my reply.  I hav't done any events other than mainstream due to more than 2 hour drives, and time off from work.
There are about 2 mainstream events or more per month in Michigan, so why drive all the way south or east?

Cris, no one here is saying mainstream is bad.  It's a style of reenacting that is comfortable for the majority.  You've entered an arena where everyone is allowed to state their "whatevers" just so as long things don't get nasty.

Something to remember is this:  when you make statements of any ilk on a forum, expect a vast majority of replies.  For example, I will comment on your post here.  

Why wouldn't you go all the way south or east?  Why wouldn't you want to go where the history was?  Many mainstream events are held on or near the historic areas they attempt to reenact.  I could go on and on.  

I'm a "hardcore" if you will, but I didn't set my response in that tone.  I could've asked the same thing as a mainstreamer.  Each person is different with their own comfort zone.  But I will say this; most reenactors try to learn as much as they can, go to various events to prevent boredom, and are generally good folks all the way around. Improving impressions almost becomes like a disease for some.  Others could care a less.

I'm rambling again, but hope I make sense.

I think I may be having the same problem in communicating.  I am not saying that I am afraid of the us verses them.  Just that alot of people get tired of hearing and talking about it.  I know alot of the historical events happen south and east, but like I said price of gas, getting extended time off from work to drive the 6-12 hour each way to an event, asking the bosses(wife) permission. Time off from work is in such short supply nowadays that alot of people stick close to home is all I am saying.  I hope to do a historical or hardcore event in the future but right now i will ejoy what I have.  

A six hour drive is barely getting out of the driveway.

Man, you must own a lot of land if it takes you 6 hours to get out of the driveway! Either that or you have some serious transmission trouble ...just kidding.

My unit, which I helped form, is an amalgam of troops from several units. Last year in June, we formed the 22nd NC, Co. K and decided that we would rather do smaller events (i.e. closer events) rather than the bigger events. Our units were part of the ANV at that time, and the closest events for us troops in Western N.C. were 6 hours plus driving time. I drive a Dodge truck. Obviously, being a working stiff, I can't blow off a full days wages and pour $120 worth of fuel in my truck to do that type of event often. So, we do the little events, which have cropped up like kudzu all over N.C. With the exception of Greedysburg this year, we'll do 8 events this year that will entail less than a 3 hour drive for ANYONE in the unit. Some will be good ones. Some will be ok. I firmly believe that a good time can be had at ANY event. IF you are willing to ignore the shortcomings and concentrate on the good parts of the event. With that said, I've done events that I won't do again, simply because they, imho, weren't worth the time, because the shortcomings outweighed the good parts.

One of the great advantages of smaller events is that an individual unit has a say in how the event/spectator battle/ tactical is run. Last weekend, we did a tiny event where my unit and our sister unit did an us versus them skirmish. Being the mischievious types, neither unit would show their sneaky tricks until spectator battle time. It turned into a try to outflank the other type skirmish using alleyways, parking lots, creekbanks and even the camps. The spectators loved it!

Gregg,

A man in Western NC is pretty darn close to some really good offerings in middle TN and NW GA. Seek them out, and give them a try.

Six hours pretty much gets me to Marion VA on I-81, if the traffic is running light. Heck, you have a seven hour headstart in that regard.  

I understand the time issues. At this point I'm signed up for ten events this season, all in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. For one reason or another, eight of them require taking at least one day of vacation. I'd really like to attend some of the long distance events, but I just can't afford to give up any more vacation time. I'm sure a lot of other guys have the same situation.  

Bill,

As the man said in one of those Indiana Jones movies, "Choose wisely."

Typically, the early season (Jan-Apr) and late season (Oct-Dec) periods have opportunities for road trips to all manner of places off the well beaten path. As for me, I'm looking forward to a fine time in Vicksburg this coming June. Everything after that this season is either local or regional.

Just depends what it's worth to someone, I guess. I can pretty well predict I'd be miserable at all the events I know of within a 6-hour drive this year (except the one my wife is putting on 4 hours away), so it's either travel or find another hobby. On the other hand, if I can pretty much be guaranteed a great time after a 6-24 hour trip, it's well worth it.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

"Choose wisely". That's probably the best advice I've heard in a long time concerning this hobby. We're lucky in having a lot of events in N.C. Most are smaller with at most 100 troops(counting cannon crews). Some of them leave a lot to be desired, to say the least. Some, however, are a lot of fun. Now that my company has gotten up and running full steam, we are taking a longer look before committing a company effort. We'd rather blow off an event that we did last year to go the next weekend to a better quality event. It's sometimes difficult to decide to miss a close event that's so-so and have most of the company in attendance versus a better event 2-3 hours farther drive where we'll have fewer troops. Slowly, we hope to get our company into the mindset of quality over quantity, for lack of a better phrase. The sad part is that some of our guys think that when they cross the state line they'll fall off the earth

We plan to expand our horizons for next year to include some of the Ga. events, as well as some of the SC events that we haven't done before. I've heard too many good reports from some events to miss out again. If the rest of the company wants to stay home, it will be their loss

Fyi, it's nice to find a reenactor forum where a discussion/conversation can be had without it turning into an us versus them fight. Besides, none of the other forums have a dope smoker icon          

Quote :

Gregg Hensley wrote : Fyi, it's nice to find a reenactor forum where a discussion/conversation can be had without it turning into an us versus them fight. Besides, none of the other forums have a dope smoker icon

Gregg,

Tell your friends! BTW, you need to sign your posts. I know Gregg Hensley is your user name, but we are funny that way. You can set up an automatic signiture block.

Thanks,  

"Besides, none of the other forums have a dope smoker icon"

The OTB does but, we have Humpin' Smileys!
 

--Last edited by grumpydave on 2007-04-25 06:40:40 --

Grumpy,

Not to mention the dancing bananas, and one of those bananas has a nice spoon!

My apologies! I have this bad habit of clicking the send button and then realizing that I didn't sign the post. I'll blame it on too much Oh Be Joyful

Gregg Hensley
2nd Sgt.
22nd NC State Troops, Co. K
The McDowell Boys  

It takes me six hours just to get to the end of Penn., would love to live in Maryland or Va, would open up a lot more events that I could go to

Will,

If you can glide about 35 minutes south of Syracuse NY in August, then you can have a fine time humping, jumping, and bumping in the woods with some other fine folks.