Gettysburg Civil War Battle Reenactment

I have been coming to this event with my boys for a few years and always have a great time. But this year this turned into a event for reenacters and selling things to them. They push the food hard and at the end of the day they cut the food prices (food is old and dryed out). There is no shade at all and very little places to sit. They need to put up more large tents with seating to rest. There are no tables to eat at. I don’t know if the staff is paid or not but the staff that does parking can be very rude and down right nasty. And the parking is a joke at best. No staff is around when people are leaving event. This turned in to a mess and at times dangerous. People were getting out of their cars to help with this traffic problem with no staff to be found. They need to think of the people coming to their event a little more and they would do much better. They bend over for the reenacters and not to the public that pays to come see this event. This year should have been better then this. That what happens when the money is put first. Cater to the people coming and the money will follow. Sorry guys you fell short this very important year. Maybe 175 will be your year.

The annual reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg takes place every July on the fields of a privately-​owned farm just north of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (4.7-miles from the actual NPS visitor center). Organized by the local town’s Gettysburg Advisory Committee it usually spans the three days of the actual battle (July 1 — 3, 1863) and brings together large scores of spectators, reenactors (infantry, artillery, and cavalry), suttlers and other period vendors, speakers/​authors, and carnival foods.
The GAC usually does a good job organizing this event. The reenactors overnight in their respective camps (Union and Confederate) and put on a sizeable battle recreation complete with narration, muskets, cannon, horses, flags, and uniforms twice a day for the three days. Living historians — reenactors who dress up, live, and speak entirely in the role of a specific historical figure in that battle (e.g. General Robert E. Lee, Generals Ewell, Hood, Hill, Early, Stuart, etc.) — walk amongst the crowds for meet-​and-​greets and pictures, open their tents to curious passers-​by, and offer widely-​attended speeches and discussions in the activity tents. Logistically, the GAC provides special grandstand seating (premium ticket) to glimpse a better view of battles and there are plenty of medical personnel, souvenir shops, food/​drink vendors, and port-​a-​potties to handle the crowds in what can be an oppressive summertime heat.
The larger gathering of reenactors (~5,000) fall on every 5^th anniversary year. This year (2013) was an absolute bear being that it was the 150^th anniversary; it took nearly 2.5 hours to cover the 4 miles from the highway (Rte 15) to the parking fields!
The last day is always the most crowded as it commemorates one of the most well-​known and grandest of Civil War artillery barrages and charge: Pickett’s Charge. This is the one that practically every reenactor in the country shows up to especially for the 150^th! But it’s one not to miss despite the massive crowds!
So you may be wondering why it’s held here instead of the actual Gettysburg National Military Park a few miles away. NPS rules prohibit live-​fire reenactments on park property (anymore) because of its environmental impact on the preserved fields. It’s probably moreso the liability that turns off the NPS. In any case, the GAC works to corral the impact of tens of thousands of visitors and reenactors as much as possible on the small town of Gettysburg.
Backpacks were allowed at each of ones we attended and were searched at the entrance. We always bring our Camelbaks with one or two extra frozen bottles of water packed next to the bladder to keep it cool (it’s a hot, sunny day with NO shade except for the activities, reenactors, and vendor tents!) And we carry a sandwich or two to help subside the growling stomach — although who can’t resist $ 5 funnel cakes, $ 6 hamburgers, $ 9 turkey legs, $ 4 lemonades/​root beers? (Having a few sandwiches helps you not buy so much junk food throughout the day…)
When in Gettysburg spend a full day or two paying your respects and learning at GNMP. Then, if you can, add a fun day here at the reenactment!