The weekend of June 1-3, I attended the Pennypacker Mills event as a private in Co B, 4th. Texas Infantry. This is family frendly Mainstream event. I was there with my wife Sandy, my Grand Daughter Heather, and my Grandson Steven; who showed up for the day on Saturday. It is truly amazing how much "stuff" goes along with one wife, and two kids, aged six and two!
This was the first time I've attended Pennypacker in about five years and it has greatly improved. A minimal registration fee includes unlimited ice, excellent firewood, straw, and running water. The camps were what you'd expect at this type of event, lots of women and children, wall tents and flys in abundance, and more than a few non-period items in view. There were also lots and lots of spectators in camp and at the battle scenarios.
There was one scrïpted scenario on both Saturday and Sunday and they were a pleasant surprise. They went according to plan and for the most part, reasonable distances were maintained. An outstanding addition to the Confederate ranks were a group of guys doing an aid station and stretcher bearer impression. The group was made up of young men, not little boys; and they took their impression seriously.
On Saturday evening, candlelight tours were conducted for the spectators. We had guys playing cards and dictating letters to those who could write. To add a little excitment, we had the Captain break up the card game with shouts and threats.
All told, it was a very nice weekend. I would strongly recommend Pennypacker to those of you who enjoy this type of event. It is well organized. The amenities are top notch and the the battles aren't bad.
Oh yeah, if the sight of little boys dressed in tiny uniforms, shooting at each other with cap guns drives you nuts, stay far, far away! My attitude is these little boys will get the "bug" and grow up to be the next generation of reenactors.
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