How to Bring Your History-Based Daydreams to Life! (Reenacting Arts Event Planning)

What is it that you would really like to experience? In history reenacting the possibilities are endless, so here are a few questions and ideas to get the creative juices flowing:

What's your favorite era, culture or historical subject of interest?

- Egyptian - Roman - Viking - Greecian
- Ghengis Kahn - Samurai
- Medieval - Elizabethan - Renaissance
- American Colonization - American Indian
- French or American Revolutions
- Oregon Trail and Pioneering - Old West
- Railroading - Pony Express - Napoleonic
- Regency - Victorian - Civil War
- Slavery - Edwardian - Women's Suffrage
- WWI - WWII - 1940's
- Roaring 20's - 1950's - 1960's
- Automobiles - Horses - Aviation

What kind of clothes do you dream of donning?

What kind of props would you like to include in your experience?

Do you want a one time party, or would you like to start or join a club that will enjoy ongoing events as a hobby?

Once you've answered these questions it's time to brainstorm event ideas. Here is a short example list:

- Roman chariot races across desert country, or at night by bon fire light
- Victorian Oil Painting in the Rose Gardens, and a Picnic
- An annual Civil War blue and gray ball, perhaps with costume recognitions
- A frontier style musket and turkey shoot (for Thanksgiving)
- A pony express relay race, all to deliver one important letter cross country
(Let's do it! See the Join and Support LPH module, below)
- A live jousting tournament with knights in armor
- Reproduction "antique" hot air balloon races (a cross country relay?)

Yeah! You get the idea...

Once you know what it is you would like to achieve, you're ready to begin the planning process using this LPH lens. In time you will be able to use a full spectrum of LPH resources that will allow you to more efficiently form online or local groups, do history research and ask questions, learn historical know-how, get help creating costumes and props, raise money, and promote your event for free, all in one place. For now, while we're in the startup phase, pre-LPH resources like this lens, or the LPH fundraising blog offer valuable direction and support (www.letsplayhistory.org/3squaresaday/).

One day LPH will be a national treasure-trove of low-cost, value-packed, member-contributed historical how-to information. For now, while LPH is still in its infancy, there's a wonderful opportunity for history buffs to get published and earn royalties.

LPH would like to call upon creative historians to produce pdf, Power Point, or video mini e-class material for the following (and more!):

- A how-to presentation for authentically constructing an "antique" hot air balloon
- A how-to presentation for authentically forging your own armor
- A how-to presentation for authentically building a Roman chariot
- The early history of Lacrosse, the game rules, and proper setting for reenactment

The royalty split will be automated at 75/25, with 75% going to you (or your organization as a fundraiser), and 20% going to support LPH. If you're interested and would like to commit, we will hold the topic for you exclusively. Contact us through the website Contact page at http://letsplayhistory.org/business/contact/

Do you have other terrific class ideas? Please submit them as well!

As in most any endeavor, the initial expense will come out of your pocket. Reenacting expenses can ring up large numbers over time, but because reenacting is often of interest to the public, you always have the option of doing events as fundraisers to support your hobby. As LPH progresses you'll even be able to promote your events to a target audience for free by utilizing the localized (or national) event calendars, and LPH newsletters.

Another avenue for financial support is to find industry-related sponsors, or even township business sponsors for smaller areas. You advertise for them in your event literature, and they provide you income, goods, and/or other resources.

Any time you do an event as a fundraiser, you should create an event logo, and sell that logo on T-shirts, cups, caps, etc.. You make a few bucks, AND the articles become walking advertisements for the club, LPH, or upcoming events.

And finally, always keep in mind that your group could co-author a history-related mini class to sell on LPH, and thereby enjoy passive royalties!

If you would like to invite the public to your events, here's how you get the word out:

- Hire your local town crier (the guy in the picture!). And if that doesn't work out...

- Flyers & posters.

- Word of mouth (in person and online).

- Inform Radio, TV and newspaper offices. This is hit or miss freebie advertising, depending on space availability and their interest. Then again, if you have the budget you could pay for ads.

- Call or write local churches, especially if your event has cultural charm or religious Relevancy.

- Call or notify local schools, especially if your event has relevancy.

- Call or notify local chambers of commerce, and while you're at it, ask for their advice.

- In due time, utilize the LPH newsletter or event calendars (free w/ $12 annual membership).