Dedicated to anyone willing to learn from the experience of others.

WE HOPE THESE COMMENTS, AS THEY ACCUMULATE, WILL HELP ANYONE WHO CONSIDERS SPONSORING A BATTLE RE-ENACTMENT TO THINK THROUGH SPECTATOR CONSIDERATIONS EXTRA CAREFULLY.

WE INVITE ANYONE TO ADD TO OR COMMENT ON THESE TOPICS

THE MAGIC MOMENT--FOUND OR MISSED?

Re-enactors speak of that magic moment when--however briefly--it's all really happening and they're in the middle of it. Spectators can't have that moment, but something like it has happened, the feeling of 'that's what it was really like.'

This kind of thoughtlessness detailed on the following pages (usually caused by a lack of imagination and empathy) has alienated many potential customers for future events..

TOO OFTEN WE DON'T GET NO RESPECT--BUT THAT'S NOT ALL BAD

Want to hear a real negative, doubled? We've been told at various times, in moments of disarming honesty, that the needs of spectators come dead last. That we are at the absolute bottom of the event co-ordinators' considerations list.

That's even though, in most cases, spectator ticket sales and purchases from vendors are a primary source of income for many reenactments and--I've been told--for efforts to preserve battlefields. It's been said that the vendors get more consideration.

It's partially because we spectators are the mostly faceless masses, the last to arrive on site and the first to leave (traffic allowing). We can rightfully be said to disturb the peace. We are not, and cannot expect to be, top-most in the minds of event organizers.

The history of re-enacting shows that a re-enactor does what he or she does for himself and for other re-enactors. Which is exactly as it should be. That's why some of the best events have been run by re-enactors.

Spectators are truly privileged to be able to look a little ways into that special place.

THE FOLLOWING PAGES CONTAIN MOSTLY CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, BUT MAY SEEM A BIT CRANKY AT TIMES. SOME COMMENTS COULD HAVE BEEN MADE BY EVENT STAFF TOO. MANY WERE.

Bleachers

EVENT STAFF OFTEN LEARN THE HARD WAY-- THRU TRIAL AND ERROR-- WHAT CAN GO WRONG AT EVENTS OF ANY SIZE, BUT ESPECIALLY AT LARGER AND LARGER EVENTS.
Continue for more specific advice

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