It may now be 2018, but part of the Bay area returned to 1864 this weekend.
- Brooksville Raid returns to Hernando County
- Largest Civil War reenactment in Florida
- Participants live in camps, dress in Civil War-era outfits
Thousands are in Hernando County for the annual Brooksville Raid. It’s the largest Civil War reenactment in Florida.
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s reliving history,” reenactor Bill Greene said.
People aren’t just showing up to battle, they’re also reliving history. Some are living in camps for the weekend, fighting the cold, just like the real soldiers did.
For those participating, getting ready for this event becomes a lifestyle.
“I’ve sewn all my outfits and my grandchildren’s outfits,” reenactor Karen Uhrig said. “It is a lot of work.”
However for many participants, that work is worth it to show history this way, especially as remembering the Civil War has become a controversial topic in recent years.
“This is part of our history. Our ancestors on both sides of the fence fought for different reasons,” Uhrig said.
With 28 cannons, 60 horses and more than 1,500 reenactors, the Brooksville Raid has become a yearly attraction.
It remembers a battle in Hernando County in July of 1864.
“It’s a way to think back how our country was developed. What happened in our country," Greene said.
The reenactment continues Sunday, with another battle taking place at 2 p.m.