Renningers is an enormous antique market right across 441 from Mount Dora, Florida. They also have a large flea market. They have a number of antique shops with typically high quality wares and, three times a year, hold enormous antique festivals that draw collectors and the curious not only from all over the state, but all over the southeastern states of the U.S.
Another thing Renningers hosts is enormous civil war Festivals. More than just a re-enactment of a battle, the participants seem to literally re-live the Civil War. The authenticity is truly stunning.
As I approached the encampment of tents, the first thing that struck me was even these people’s children are dressed in period costume.
As I walked down aisles flanked by these authentic looking white tents that serve as makeshift homes to the 800+ re-enactors I could not get over the attention to detail.
No plastic, vinyl or any other modern-day materials to break the illusion. Bags were real leather with brass clasps. Hand made wooden furniture surounded burning camp fires with cast-iron cooking utensils simmering what seemed to be authentic period food.
Groups of soldiers stood in neat rows about the campsite receiving last minute battle plans from their commanding officers.
In the background could be heard the 97th Regimental String Band playing a wide variety of music from the Civil War era. In between sets they explained with humorous antidotes and reverential tales the history behind the songs they were playing.
Of course, part of the allure of a festival where people are this enthusiastic is that you are surrounded by 800 knowledgeable historians regarding this period in history. Soldiers had thorough knowledge of the operation and capabilities of their black-powder weapons as well as tales of the people they were portraying. Their wives, who sat in stitching circles around the campfire also discussed the roles that they would play in that period in history. Of course there were friendly vendors selling historically accurate mementos from clothing to novels. They are enthusiastic and eager to share this knowledge with visitors to the festival. My Wife overheard a telegraph operator explain to a group of children, “this was the internet of the 1800s”.
Finally, gear was stowed, weapons were checked, and it was off to battle.
The reenactment was of The battle of Townsend’s Plantation. It started off slow with the cavalry using hit and run tactics to pester the front lines of the enemy.
An announcer narrated the entire battle. It started off with a few random pop’s but as the lines advanced the air was filled with smoke and explosions from the massive amount of gunfire. With 800 soldiers firing black powder weapons on the battlefield, it was impressive.
The announcer explained that these were volunteers and not Hollywood actors so there would be no flying from horseback from being hit by a bullet or other elaborate stunts. He also explained the opposing forces would not fight this close to each other in real life. Still, the cast was in to it and, with the gunfire and authenticity of the props, it took no imagination to visualize how this battle looked.
The announcer also explained that these volunteers did not travel hundreds of miles to die as the first shots were fired. Finally, though, the dead littered the battlefield.
Finally, the South one that day.
At the end, the entire company of performers stood in one long line as the buglers played Taps and fired off a salute to those who gave their lives in the Civil War. It was moving…and loud. Hundreds of rifles and all those cannons going off at once.
I think it’s too bad more schools do not do field trips to events like this. It brings home that these people were our forefathers and people just like us in one of the most trying times in our history that has defined this country.
I had a brutal cold bug and only stopped by this festival for a short time this year. Next time, I will be going for a full two days and burning many rolls of film to give this festival the treatment and space on my web site in a gallery as it deserves.
