Moorpark Civil War Event 2017-04-01

We attended the Moorpark Blue and Gray Civil War Reenactment in Moorpark Ca.  It's a great event and is said to be the largest civil war event in California.  We have attended before and enjoyed it very much.  This year was different since it was in a new location.

Upon entering, there were several sutler tents with things for sale.

This is the first reenactment where I saw folks doing wet plate collodian photography.  The shop was called Bailey Denton Photography and they had a nice collection of tintypes for sale. This was very interesting to me because I've been wanting to learn this process for a very long time.

They had a makeshift darkroom set up which was impressively done.  I doubt the fibre optic safe lights are period correct, but it is a very clever way to handle getting a safe light in place without too much danger. 

A studio was set up for soldiers that wanted a portrait.  The wet plate camera is covered. 

After passing through the sutlers, there was a union encampment.  The reenactors actually camp at  the site for the entire event.

I really liked this chair.  I want to make one.

The first battle started at Noon.  The confederate forces marched on to the field first.

The union troops marched in to meet them.

The Confederates started firing their cannon.

Here's a video of the cannon firing.

The battle continued with cannon firing and bands playing.

 The union troops advanced and overtook the confederate lines.

 The confederate troops had to retreat.

This event is always fun with exploding ground effects.

 Overall this was a great event and fun to attend if you can make it.

California Poppies

We drove out to Lancaster to see the poppies.  This was a Friday and there were so many cars along the road that stopped to take a look at the poppies.

the view from the top of the bluff looking toward Lancaster

SCVi 7th Grade RenFaire

Here are highlights of the 7th grade SCVi RenFaire.  This was a fantastic ending to their Renaissance period history lessons.  The kids researched a particular area of interest and then displayed what they learned in their booth.  There were weapons, potions, food, palm reading, music, and dancing. 

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Some typical farm animals