Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

[paulcalloway]

Conner Prairie contacted us today and is not able to honor their commitment for an event in 2008 due to some other events they are having next fall.

Our window of opportunity was pretty small since we didnt want to conflict with other EBUFU events and it just happens to be at the busiest time of the year for Conner Prairie.

Consider this a no go and if anything changes we'll let you know.

[Matthew.Rector]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

That's too bad Paul. I was really looking forward to this one! Thanks for your efforts and time spent on this.

[reb290]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

I am also sad to hear this. This sounded like a great event.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Paul,

See if you can squeeze it in to 2009.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Bummer. It was on my must-attend list, for sure. As Charles says, maybe 2009?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[Micah Trent]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Paul,

With the current changes going on CP, which looks to be for the good, is there a chance that this event could be held in 2009?

[Justin Runyon]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Micah,

As much as I want an authentic event in Indiana (trust me I do), I'm not inclined to work with CP any time in the future. Yanking the rug out from under 2008 after having been essentially guarenteed that date, coupled with their wanting us to come and save their annual event after the mainstream element takes their ball and goes home does'nt really sit well with me.

Others milage may vary, that's just onme mans oppinion.

[boozie]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Micah,

As much as I want an authentic event in Indiana (trust me I do), I'm not inclined to work with CP any time in the future. Yanking the rug out from under 2008 after having been essentially guarenteed that date, coupled with their wanting us to come and save their annual event after the mainstream element takes their ball and goes home does'nt really sit well with me.

Others milage may vary, that's just onme mans oppinion.

I agree! Planning and research had already been started, then poof, a conflict. It wouldn't have been so bad if our date was in conflict with another 19th Century event at a 19th Century village.

[Micah Trent]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Micah,

As much as I want an authentic event in Indiana (trust me I do), I'm not inclined to work with CP any time in the future. Yanking the rug out from under 2008 after having been essentially guarenteed that date, coupled with their wanting us to come and save their annual event after the mainstream element takes their ball and goes home does'nt really sit well with me.

Others milage may vary, that's just onme mans oppinion.

Justin,

I understand the ill feelings when having the rug pulled out from underneath you. Pissed doesn't even describe the true feelings. I don't know the full details about what went on. I just know that there was a date set and then it was suddenly denied due to a Halloween event? (Correct me if I am wrong.)
In a way though, with the mastermind behind the 3 ring circus now, which appears to be out of the picture, no longer an issue, it seems to a point to try and take advantage of this occasion before another circus takes its spot.
Was it one man's decision or a groups decision from CP that gave the no go?

Just one who tries to find a little good in the bad and the ugly at times.

[paulcalloway]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Gents -
If you feel strongly about this, take the ball and run with it. I share some of Justin's feelings on this, but not to the point non-participation. If you can resurrect this event idea, I'm willing to give them another chance.

It's going to be pretty difficult at this stage of the game to get a lot of non-GHTI support for their May '08 event though.

[markmason]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

update. Most likely it will be a gathering of a few TWM fellas and anyone who may want to come out for the day.

The park did not contact the GHTI to bail them out and save the event. I hope our ship is not that big.

a few mainstreamer/progressive just see the open door to plant a seed and asked if we want to be a part of it...to organize, take over, plan future May events, etc..

Actually, Im tired..really tired mentally...know what I mean? and lack the enthusiasm anymore

[markmason]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Those of you who could make it out to CP ..Thank You.

[Micah Trent]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

Glad I could come out for it. Had a good time.

[Thomas Alleman]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

I was at CP, went reb and well it is mainstream to the extreme. How sad the union army looks these days old men and young boys. It was a match up of the Independent Guard CS vs. ad hoc Union troops. The rebs outnumbered the feds with a 2-1 margin, sad. Nice village and historic setting and yeah allot of potential to educate IN on the the civil war but the hokiest battle I ever thought of participating in.
So good: nice site, seeing pards, friendly village people, hey free food, good weather, also Ezra Barnhouse Goods, and playing baseball, singing around the campfire, and the dead rabbits. Bad: BATTLE,no authenticity standards, note to self leave contacts at home, and real lack of scenario for the event.
At non-civil war sites it is good to have a sense of a period of time not just Civil War event. Leaves to much to the imagination and a little history about a time period gives guys a reason to have a certain look and feel. Would I go back? Seen it, did it, what else you got, not in the near future and not with a battle like that.
Basically went 5 hours to have a corn dog and take a nap.:confused_ Yeah I need to stay away from these types of events, it just reminds me of what I do not like about reenacting. I am not here to bash this site and your unit does get paid which helps but I do think everyone could do better, myself included.
So if you do enjoy the place by all means make it better, Indy is slowly creeping its way around it. I guess a new subdivision is moving next to it. Open space is valuable.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Camp Morton - It's a no go for 2008

I would echo Tom's comments. However, it wasn't the worst battle I've ever seen (cough- Mooresville -cough), but it was up there.

A couple things I found interesting:
The site is trying to grow the event, so stated rules were not enforced. There was a general statement about cut, etc. of uniforms being in a period fashion, but judging by what I saw on the field, there were no real standards. Impressions on the CS side ranged from top-of-the-line to the crust at the bottom of the barrel.

Despite this, attendance from the public looked to be huge and they all looked pretty pleased. So, not sure if the site would be motivated to make changes that would result in fewer reenactor attendees. In order to coerce them to making a change, I think there would probably need to be a Max Effort authentic event there, with attendance on the order of decent sized battalion on each side.

One of my biggest pet peeves at events these days is alcohol consumption. I don't see it at better events. However, it seems unavoidable at anything approaching a mainstream event. It makes it hard to set a good example for younger guys (teens+)getting into the hobby.

Anyway... I had fun catching up with friends.