{"id":301,"date":"2011-01-31T12:39:07","date_gmt":"2011-01-31T12:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bucksurdu.com\/blog\/?p=301"},"modified":"2011-01-31T12:40:59","modified_gmt":"2011-01-31T12:40:59","slug":"civil-war-ball-in-gettysburg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bucksurdu.com\/blog\/?p=301","title":{"rendered":"Civil War Ball in Gettysburg"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Buck<\/a>
Buck and Candy before the Ball<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This past weekend, we attended the Gettysburg Civil War ball in the Gettysburg Hotel. \u00a0The event began for us Saturday morning with a two-hour lesson on period dancing. \u00a0It was very fun. \u00a0After lunch and just a few minutes to peek into one or two of the stores very close to the center of town, it was time to begin to suit up and prepare for the group photo. \u00a0After photos we headed to the ball. \u00a0While people were being seated, a guy who looked like Andrew Jackson played and sang period songs on the piano. \u00a0The dinner was better than the average “event dinner.”<\/p>\n

\"Buck,<\/a>
Buck, Candy, Buck's Mom, Buck's Dad, Buck's Sister (Sheila), and her husband (Rob)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After we finished eating we left the dining room so that the hotel staff could clear the tables and make room for dancing. \u00a0The dancing began with the grand entrance march. \u00a0The entrance march reminded me of films of the RCMP horse troop at the Calgary Stampede. \u00a0By following the person in front of you and taking commands from the platoon of professional dancers we travelled around the room in various formations. \u00a0The purpose for this, I gather is so that everyone sees everyone else in a Victorian-appropriate manner. \u00a0Many of the women put some incredible effort into their dresses, so it was a good opportunity to see them. \u00a0The dancing lasted for about three hours. \u00a0Music was provided by a three-piece bad, called “Smashing Windows,” consisting of a piano, violin, and recorder\/flute. \u00a0I wasn’t sure how much fun this would be, but we’ve made our reservations at the Gettysburg hotel for next year.<\/p>\n

Candy wore a borrowed dress, but she’ll probably have one made for next year. \u00a0For next year, we’re talking about getting her a wig, since her hair was too short for Victorian styles and she couldn’t find a good hair piece that matched in color. \u00a0I told her this is her chance to be a blonde with long “boing boing” curls. \u00a0I pieced together a uniform from my dad’s closet, as did my brother-in-law Rob. \u00a0For next year I may have a uniform made that will fit a little better. \u00a0(The uniform was a little large, and we couldn’t get the belt to fit properly.) \u00a0Just to be different, I’m thinking about a naval commodore’s uniform. \u00a0Everything was re-enactor quality, except I wore my real shoulder boards. \u00a0Since they are bullion, it worked, even through the eagle on Colonel’s rank has changed shape just a bit.<\/p>\n