Reenactor Fest 2009

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Found out about this from the musicians Ogham when we went to a new indoor faire today in Madison, WI.  Reenactor Fest changes locations every year.  In 2009, it will be held at the Westin Hotel in Wheeling, IL (a Chicago suburb).

Their website is  http://reenactorfest.com

The dates are Feb 5th - Feb 8th.

Has anyone on the forums been to this in the past?  Is anyone planning to go in 2009?  No schedule is posted yet, but we heard some of the Bristol musicians will be entertaining there, so we're thinking of driving up on the Sunday.  It's about 3 hours each way, so we'd love some input about it before undertaking the drive.  Grammercy!

[groomporter]

We've been there as merchants the last two years (we're skipping this year due to the economy and the new hotel being more expensive). It was a really fun time. If you've ever been to an SF/fantasy "Con" it's kind of like that only all about reenacting history. Even lthough they want only historically based clothing, no fantasy costumes, there was no really snobbiness between people from different eras, or Renfairs vs reenactments. There were a could different groups from Bristol.

Friday night there's been a historic trivia contest that's a lot of fun and then Saturday night the period ball starts out with period dances, and once the period dances are done they play the Time Warp from Rocky Horror and the rest of the night rocks the house. During the day there are lots of different seminars on aspects of history, historic clothing, as well as sessions about reenacting and interacting with the public.

Here were my pics from last year.
http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b160/Groomporter/shows/RF4/

[Margrett]

I've been there and will be attending in Feb--I live less than two miles from the new site. Groomporter is right in that it is meant for serious reenactors and fantasy garb is explicitly precluded--no chain mail bikinis. But I am in one of the three Bristol historical guildes who were there last year (I'm in the Guilde of St. Lawrence, that had the period food display last year). There is usually a SCA presence as well. Basically, if you take your history seriously and dress accordingly, you would be welcome. But you can dress in street clothes too. Dressing up is not mandatory.

There are merchants selling things from the Roman Empire to World War II. The dance is hilarious; there is nothing cooler than a whole bunch of people from different time periods doing the Time Warp! It's just a lot of fun and I highly recommend it.

Margrett

[Sir William Marcus]

Wow! Here is an event I was unaware of and looks & sounds to be great fun.  I may have to make an attempt to attend sometime as I see no one representing another time period I have dedicated myself to for many years. The only drawback for me is a roadtrip to northern Chicago in February can be somewhat a gamble.

[Richard de Graeme]

Being so close to the Borderland, I and Rocco di Cicero will be in attendance (albeit in disguise).

[groomporter]

They're trying some changes this year in hopes of attracting more of the general public and not just reenactors.

THIS JUST IN! Reenactor Fest has joined forces with Osprey Publishing, W. Britain and Casemate Publishing to expand our convention and take it to the next level!  We are adding toy soldier / model dealers, painting workshops and activities, more books, guest authors and a few other surprises! To better represent our expanded offerings we decided to rename the show MILITARY HISTORY FEST.  Nothing you love about Reenactor Fest is changing other than the name and the added activities. We think you'll love the new things to do, buy and see!

They still plan on having the old stuff from what I've heard, just more other stuff to attract the public

http://reenactorfest.com/Reenactor_Fest/Home.html

[groomporter]

A partial schedule of the 2011 seminars has been posted
http://reenactorfest.com/Reenactor_Fest/Schedule.html

[groomporter]

There are only 15 more days until the Advanced Discounted Ticket offer expires! Only another few days after that until the advanced discounted room rate expires too!

Everything can be reserved on-line at http://www.reenactorfest.com!

[groomporter]

Just got permission from the organizer, so if the hotel lobby complementary WIFI extends to the foyer and I can find a power outlet near our tables I may try to do a live streaming broadcast at the event. I'll post the link to the feed on if things work out

[groomporter]

Live stream link check it out over the course of the weekend, it may not be on all the time  so come back later if you don'ts see any current action
http://12.175.61.239:9090/1/stream.html

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

Not getting a response.  Granted, my systems are incredibly locked down, but I can't even ping the server.  Comes back "Destination host unreachable."

[groomporter]

Streaming live now http://12.175.61.161:9090/R/stream.html

[groomporter]

Humph the WIFI signal kept dropping so it didn't work as well as I hoped.

Sounds like near record attendance although our sales are way off so far.

Next year may be the year to attend. They are moving it to the Pheasant Run Resort and Spa http://pheasantrun.com with a huge convention center. It's going to include an military vehicle rally, an artillery time-line and space for full indoor "campsites" for military units -not just booth-sized displays, and space for twice as many merchants. According to the organizer the hotel rooms are going to be cheaper as well.

[groomporter]

A good collection of photos from this year
http://timeoutchicago.com/things-to-do/246795/reenactor-fest-7-at-the-westin-chicago-wheeling-il-photo-gallery

[groomporter]

Discounted Advanced Ticket sales end January 10th for this event. It's going to be bigger than ever including full indoor encampments for military groups, displays of military vehicles and a timeline display of artillery.

http://www.reenactorfest.com/