an essay of forgotten stills || tent city reenactment 19(20)13

:: all stills taken with an iPhone {either mine or mum's} with VSCO ::

we don't have civil war reenactments in these parts. no, we re-live an era when farmers were growing fruit for the soldiers in the Great War raging in Europe, Mr. Randolf Hurst was a common face to stumble upon in a crowd, and barn dances - nothing fancy - were the highlight after the week's biddings.  families from all over the States, Canada, and Europe came to stake their claim in california's hills, dotted with wildflowers; living and accomplishing business in canvas tents while the houses they would someday call home were being built. this is the story of how we relived a hundred year's worth of history. 

||| after the awards ceremony...it was a great thrill and honor to win for my second and final time :) ||| 

the weather was altogether balmy and autumn-like. dreamy morning sunbeams splashed in little pools on the velvety carpet of grass. octobers had always been good to me with birthday celebrations and disneyland trips, but one of my favorite highlights was always the day we would don on 1900's outfits and reenact an era long gone by. the sleepy morning soon slipped into a rambunctious afternoon. strands of music from the mudskippers band weaved through the crowd; while newies shouted announcements, the anvil pounded from the smithy, and laughter floated amidst the excited guests composed the cacophony of noises. arm in arm with one of my dearest friend, we greeted guests warmly and relished a sarsaparilla at the end of a very long day.

even in another time period, dressed in lace and gloves, i felt at home. and i will miss octobers in cali dearly.
thank you for the best of times, tent city.
xx 
postscript // view more stills from this photographer.