Open Fire at Olustee Battlefield
Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park
What do you know about the Civil War? Do you remember all those facts from your high school history textbook? After just one trip to the Battle of Olustee weekend-long Reenactment Festival (held annually in mid-February), you will be surprised at how much you missed, how much is still waiting out there to discover. Stepping over the railroad tracks at Florida’s first historic site, Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, there are booths where friendly faces share more information about the festivities. Friday is a day full of educational exhibits, tours, arts, crafts, dance instruction, and memorial services, and the highly anticipated battle reenactments are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Battle of Olustee Reenactment Festival
Reenactment Festival
Strolling down the wide road, we pass by sutlers, medicine men, musicians, horses, buggies, and food vendors of the Reenactment Festival. Cannons are anchored on display with full-scale artillery and reenactors pontificating on the actual events of the 1864 Battle of Olustee, also known as the Battle of Ocean Pond, and teaching festival goers about the technical mechanics behind each unique projectile launch. Learn about each cannon’s range, firepower, and mobility, all while making new friends who like to dress in sutlery.
Battle of Olustee Reenactment Festival
Sutlery shops line the paths of the festival grounds with confederate and union uniforms, corps badges, haversacks, canteens, canvas tents, a variety of antique collectables, and other reenactment dress and festival swag for sale. Do not be distracted by the lure of antiques too long, as you’ll want to make time to peruse the tradesmen. Blacksmiths, iron makers, medicine men, tarot card readers, tintype photographers, chefs, and authors all have stations where they showcase their skills, providing lectures and demonstrations for passerbys.
If you come to the festival hungry, you can walk back over to the vendors, where there are chicken thighs, hot dogs, and hamburgers for sale, much like a concessionaire before a main event. Small trio bands and conducted orchestras play period music concerts to send your soul back to the 19th century.
Battle of Olustee Reenactment Festival
Civil War History Comes to Life
Meanwhile, 19th century daily life is portrayed at separately designated Confederate and Union campgrounds. You may ask the reenactors all your lingering questions from history class, and they will humor the discussions without breaking out of character. The commitment and depth to these interactions will certainly reignite your interest in Civil War history. Their engrossing activities do not even appear as reenactments, but rather as genuine interpretations of human emotion and behavior behind the impending battle.
Battle of Olustee Reenactment Festival
Things to Do at Olustee
Most of the folks who attend this living history weekend are natives to Olustee, and their pride in their hometown cultural history is evident. The crowds drawn to this event each year are growing as the park offers a multitude of activities for everyone to enjoy. Pack a picnic and share in the excitement of battle cannon blasts and gun fire. Feel like staying overnight? Check out the campgrounds at Ocean Pond. If you’ve had your fill of the festivities, you may take a brief hike down the 1-mile Battlefield Trail that features educational kiosks describing the Battle of Olustee events. If seeking some solitude, jump onto a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail that traverses the park. Just don’t get lost for too long, as you don’t want to miss the main event.
Battle of Olustee Reenactment
What does it take to pull off a reenactment of the largest Civil War battle in Florida history?
Roughly 2,800 reenactors
12 months of research and preparation of authentic Civil War costumes and props
About 50 canons on the plaza
14,604 park visitors
Open-mindedness to this educational opportunity of our historical heritage and willingness to remember all those fallen at the Battle of Olustee
*These numbers are an approximation from 2019, the 43rd consecutive year of battle reenactments at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park.
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For more information on the Reenactment Festival, please contact the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park Ranger Station.