Battle of Aiken, Aiken, SC, 23-25 FEB 2024

[SgtRickHenry]

Hope everyone is well.  This will be of interest to anyone interested in Old West history in general and in our Civil War history in particular. 

The Sons of Confederate Veterans will hold their annual Battle of Aiken event February 23-25, 2024 (Friday-Sunday) at their Battle Park facility, located at 1210 Powell Pond Rd., Aiken, SC, 29801 (take I-20 to Exit 18).  There are two roads into the Event Park:  Scott Lane (on the right) and Corey Lane (on the left).  For this event participants should enter on Scott Lane.  This will take you directly to Registration Living History HQ where you will get signed in and receive a schedule and a map.  Spectators will enter on Corey Lane.

The event is open to the general public and is very well attended by folks of all ages, including children, as well as lots of local media attention.  Sometimes, even the famous movie producer and director, Christopher Forbes, shows up to shoot background scenes for his western genre films.  For several years, our posse has been invited to be a part of it and we have always participated.  The event consists of re-enactments (or fictional skits) of Old West shootouts; re-enactments of North-South battles, including live cavalry charges and cannon fire (with blank charges), and skirmishes that comprised the Battle of Aiken; historical presentations, Old West firearms displays, and numerous vendors selling period and related products, such as clothing, knives, period guns, and other sundry items.  There are normally food vendors onsite, as well.  More info about the event can be found here  http://www.battleofaiken.com

Friday, Feb. 23rd is their "school day" during which numerous students from various schools around the area and the state, will make a field trip to event and various reenactors and volunteers will host educational talks and activities. 

Our posse, the South Carolina Old West Shootists, has been asked to volunteer as camp provosts marshals, assisting with vehicular and pedestrian traffic, helping to find lost parents, giving directions to various activities onsite, and other duties as requested.

All shootouts, including the cannon fire, will use only blank loads or charges -- no live ammo is permitted on your person or on on the field.  Please see the NCOWS Re-enactment Safety Guidelines, below, which will be applicable to all of our members during the event, and which can also be found here:  http://ncows.com/library/pdf/ReenactmentGuidelines.pdf  Anyone planning to attend or participate in this event should please read and familiarize themselves with these safety rules.

Suggested uniform of the day for participating NCOWS members will be Cowboy attire (including any uniform or other period correct attire that goes with your character or persona).  You are permitted to wear your Cowboy or other period firearms and holsters, but No Live Ammo.

For those wishing overnight accommodations, we usually stay at the Quality Inn Aiken, 110 E. Frontage Rd., Aiken, SC  29805 (I-20, Exit 22 and US 1) phone (803) 502-0900.  They sometimes have a special rate for this event, but they usually give military and AAA discounts, so be sure to request same.  This is about a 5-10 minute drive, along I-20, to the event location.

For more info, please feel free to contact me or email the event coordinator directly, Pete Peters <petersvacs@aol.com>

This is a very well-attended and family friendly event and is suitable for children.  Everyone is welcome to attend.