Although I have begun to distance myself from my mainstream group, I still attend a few events a year with them. On their schedule this year is Connor Prairie and since I don't have anything scheduled for that month I am considering going with them. I've heard both good and bad about this event and I was wondering what others on this forum could share concerning it.
I attended both Outpost and BGR last year so thats kind of where the bar is for my perspective on events but at the same time I also enjoyed Perryville in 06. All input would be appreciated.

1. You'll be exposed to Battalion Drill, fighting, and bugle signals...unlike Outpost and BGR. (Well we had some decent bugling at Outpost, but on a company level). If you are into events (like BGR, Outpost, and other fine EBUFU ) that don't reenact battles and battalion drill, instead focus on skirmishing or living history...... then this event won't be for you.

2. You can camp with as little or as much as you want, and ignore the privates in the next camping 'area' (they were spread out, and company streets were more like bivouac areas and didn't have to be on top of each other!) in their wall tents.

3. The event staff was uptight about everything.....can't go into the 1840's area because your dressed in 1860's garb....can't ride horses in the 1860's area because of 2007 modern liability issues.....

4. Straw, firewood, water, facilities were EXCELLENT.

5. Battlefield isn't bad, a trifle narrow and of course immaculately Mowed.

Not that I'm saying, but I would have your guys go west to Kansas City that same weekend. You can march around campaign style ala Outpost and BRG AND fight/drill at a battalion level.

Went to Conner Prairie the last two years as the Cumberland Guards Chief Bugler. had fun, enjoyed seeing Terry Crowder and the 10th MO Cavalry, and was a great meet/greet and talk to the spectators about bugling.

Paul Calloway and the GHTI were there. Good folk, superb reenactors. They even drill fairly well and washup once in awhile.

Not a Farbfest, but fairly close to one.

The BARN construction is something to be examined thoroughly.....awesome rough hewn beams....superb construction......they do NOT build them like they used to! It rained in 2006....we slept in the barns/out buildings.....it's an old time village after all. who needs a tent when porches and spare stalls abound.