Greatest History Experience on Earth - Come to OLUSTEE

[Ocklawaha]

If you've ever wanted to walk back into time, and see The War of Yankee Aggression up close and personal, then this is your big break!  I was involved in this all through the 80's and early 90's, as it grew into the Nation's Largest Reenactment.  While I dug through old records and books, as well as spoke to a zillion school kids, others spent endless hours honing skills of living EXACTLY like this time period. Some of these guys are as good as anything Hollywood has to offer, and I'll be damned if they didn't film some of the battle scenes of the great movie GLORY during one of these weekends... They didn't have to hire one single extra, they got an army of them! This is really an all day event, go VERY early, take the family, lots of food and old time fun, and tons of period stuff to buy, as well as art, clothing, guns, sundrys, dry goods etc... THE FOOD is to "die for!" But hey, a little death never hurt anyone at this festival. 

The Colors and Cemetery services on Sunday are quite reverent and a real spiritual type experience for those of us who still hear the guns. The church services, pick your Army, are presented by real pastors, giving real sermons in the style of the day... interesting... and you may just leave with a New Testament from "The Confederate Bible Society."

This is an award winning presentation put on by the Florida State Parks, as well as help from two huge communities of academia, historians, history buffs, NPS, and such.  If this doesn't light your fire, you wood is wet.

BRING THE KODAK!

OCKLAWAHA


Schedule of Events
(subject to change)
34rd Annual Reenactment
of the
Battle of Olustee, Florida

No Pets
February 12 - 14, 2010


Thursday, February 11th, 2010

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.    Early setup - Early registration opens. You must register and pick up parking passes and ID cards.
Reenactors, Do not arrive before Thursday. You will not be allowed to set up prior to Thursday.


Friday, February 12th, 2010

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.    Registration. All participants must register upon arrival. Your returned preregistration forms are used only for planning. When you arrive, you must register, sign waivers, and pick up parking passes.

8:00 a.m.    Back Gate (250-A) opens.

8:30 a.m.    Colors on Museum/Monument Field. The day's announcements, schedule changes, messages, etc., will be made at this time. Early arrivals are expected to attend.

8:45 a.m.    Wreath Laying

9:00 a.m.    Civil War Memorial Service at Oaklawn Cemetery, Lake City, on W. Franklin Street (off 41 N)

All Day    Reenactor Only Battle

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.    Tours and medical demonstrations for school children and tour groups . Anyone who can help with school children and all Medical Units are asked to assist with either a 10-minute living history presentation or as group guides.

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.    Educational Exhibits and Programs under the Ball tent.

9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.    Entertainment, arts, crafts, and food booths in Lake City with opening ceremonies at noon.

7:00 p.m.    Luminaria Memorial Service - on the Museum/Monument Field

8:00 p.m.    Artillery night firing at Artillery Demonstration Field, across from the museum. (Cannons to be inspected before firing. Viewers must stay outside fence.)

8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.    Old Fashioned Barn Dance and dance instruction under the Ball Tent! Open to all participants. Period attire not required.

12:00 p.m.    Quiet Time - All generators off!


Saturday, February 13th, 2010

6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.    
Registration Open until 8:00 p.m. Front gate closes to all traffic until 5:00 p.m. Sunday.
You must park outside gate to register. You will be instructed to take an alternate route to drive to your area. A map will be provided in your registration packet. You will not be admitted through alternate entrances without the proper permits.

8:00 a.m.    Colors at Museum/Monument Field. Mandatory for all units. The day's announcements, schedule changes and roll call will be made at this time.

Immediately following colors    Shuttle buses to Lake City for parade will load at Park Entrance. A light breakfast will be provided for all parade participants in Lake City. Come to Colors prepared to board buses.

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.    Authentic campsites open to the public. Please post guards and police your areas.

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.    Author Lecture Series under the Ball tent.

9:30 a.m.    All horses, buggies and wagons take parade positions in Lake City.

9:45 a.m.    All parade units in position in Lake City.

10:30 a.m.    Parade in Lake City. Starts at DOT building, travels north on S. Marion to U.S. 90, then West on U.S. 90. Disbands near Columbia County School Board Administrative Offices.

11:00 a.m.    Artillery inspection. All pieces and crews must be present. Participation is mandatory for each man and each piece in order to be in Saturday's and Sunday's battles.

11:00 a.m.    How People of Color Served in the Civil War - in the Ball Tent

12:00 p.m.    Period music concert at demonstration area.

1:00 p.m.    Medical demonstration for the public at the Medical tent. All medical units are invited to participate.

1:30 p.m.    Ladies Tea at the Ball Tent. Program: "Secrets of the Underworld â€" 19th Century Underpinnings and Accessories"

2:30 p.m.    Period music concert at the Battlefield.

3:00 p.m.    Pyrotechnics field orientation.

3:30 p.m.    Battlefield reenactment held on the battlefield.

8:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.    Battle of Olustee Ball. Period attire required. Participants only.

12:00 p.m.    Lights out. All generators off!


Sunday, February 14th, 2010

7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.    Registration closes at 11:00 a.m.

8:30 a.m.    Colors on Museum/Monument Grounds. Mandatory for all units. The day's announcements. schedule changes and roll call will be made at this time. Streamers will be given out by groups at this time.

9:00 a.m.    Union Monument Ceremony. Those wishing to march after colors to the Union Monument for the annual observance are invited to join in.

9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.    Medical demonstration for the public at the Medical tent. All medical units are invited to participate.

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.    Authentic campsites open to the public. Please post guards and police your areas.

9:30 a.m.    Artillery Units. Black powder issued.

9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.    Cavalry drill coordination. Pyrotechnics orientation.

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.    Period church services in Authentic Camps and at the Ball Tent.

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.    Period music concert at the Battlefield.

12:45 p.m.    All units form up on Battlefield at assigned positions.

1:00 p.m.    Safety inspection. Mandatory for all participants.

1:30 p.m.    34th Annual Reenactment of 146th Anniversary of the Battle of Olustee - Florida's largest Civil War battle

2:45 p.m.    Formal retreat for Final Volley and Thanks.

3:00 p.m.    Those wishing to spend the night may stay until Monday. Please plan to attend the 35th Annual Battle of Olustee Reenactment next year on February 18-20, 2011. Everyone have a pleasant and safe ride home. Thank you for your assistance and attendance. Exit through back gates only until 5:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.    All gates open for exit.