By the way, Moody Blues fan Sal Palermo is a member of St. Augustine's reenactments group. He has the most wonderful costumes and has participated in some fabulous performances. Sometimes, the "troops" set up an encampment next to the fort. Because St. Augustine (at various times) has been under British rule, Spanish rule, American rule, etc., you can see all sorts of uniforms and time periods honored. It's all in a day's adventure to see someone dressed as a Spanish soldier, or in kilts and playing a bagpipe, or in an American Civil war uniform, or dressed as a Native American Indian, or a frontiersman. And the costumes MUST be authentically correct. There are very strict guidelines for creating the uniforms. In order to be a member of the reenactments group, a person's uniforms have to be up to code.

The same goes for the period weapons the troops carry. Sal Palermo has all kinds of weaponry from various time periods. In fact, he made his own musket, and he has all sorts of swords and amazing weaponry. I pity the burglar that ever mistakenly tries to sneak into Sal's home. Doesn't stand a chance! LOL!

Oh, and there are plenty of women in the reenactments group. Theirs can be a thankless business, though, wearing those heavy long skirts during a Florida summer. And they've had to, at times, cook over hot fires to feed the troops. There are the occasional Calamity Jane types who escape the heavy skirts and wear buckskin instead. I think they're the lucky ones!

It's especially impressive to see all of these amazing costumes on display during parades down St. George Street or parades past the old fort. St. Augustine is a fascinating place, steeped in history.


Edited 1 time by Aprilwillow 06/02/09 08:46:01.