Live Oak: Entertaining at the Raid on the Suwannee

The Raid on the Suwannee is an annual event in the Live Oak Florida area.  It is a historical re-enactment of a Civil War battle that could have, but did not, occur.

Getting ready for the battle that didn't occur(photo from Suwannee Democrat)

From an interview in the Suwannee Democrat:
“It’s a ‘what-if’ event,” said Bo Hancock, one of the organizers. “But it’s still part of history.” 
If the Confederates had lost at Olustee, Hancock said, the next step for the Union would have led them into Suwannee County as they marched the railroad line to destroy transportation infrastructure. 

This is history at it's best, living history.  Leading up to the weekend event there were several history presentations at the Suwannee River Regional Library.  The presentation on 'Edmund Kirby-Smith Florida born Confederate General and his wife' caught my interest as we were both born in St. Augustine.  Then too, I spent many hours at the Public Library which was housed in his childhood home.  

Reenactors bring history to life
(photo from Raid website)

On Thursday night we learned about E. Kirby-Smith in a presentation by Wayne and Jane Simms with their appropriately named "All's Fair in Love and War" program which tells of the romance between General Edmund Kirby Smith, a Civil War general born in the city, and Cassie Selden, a Virginian who became his wife.

Wayne and Jane Sims
Storytellers

Saturday was a volunteer day, notice it is not a work day, supporting the Dulcimer Retreat at Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park.  However, Sunday we were 'off' and volunteering at the Raid on the Suwannee as musicians for the 10:05 AM music set.  It was chilly that morning but the show must go on and so we headed to Live Oak on a beautiful crisp fall day. 

Dressed for the 1860s
bringing period music to the festival

We arrived in plenty of time and began to set-up for the performance.  The band '7 Lbs of Bacon' provided the sound system and one of the band members adjusted the sound. However, shortly into the performance there was a problem with the system that required some reorganization.  Now, Bill is a good sound man but it is difficult to handle both sound and perform using your own system much less an unknown sound system.  

Fellow Park Service volunteers came for the day
Stephanie and Carl (helping with the sound)

Fortunately, park volunteers Stephanie and Carl were in the crowd and Carl can run sound!  You guessed it, we asked him to assist.  Yes, Carl does understand sound managed to get us up and running in no time.  Thank you Carl.

Norm McDonald, wonderful storyteller and musician
good friend who suggested us for the event

Now, we never applied as musicians for this event but our good friend Norm McDonald introduced us to the director with a good recommendation.  So, when an opening occurred we were first on his list to complete the show.  Can't say I know many Civil War tunes but we have a long list of songs and dance tunes from the era, 1840-1870, plus several of our Florida Folk songs were appropriate for this event.  It was a lovely day with an appreciative audience, living history, friends, good food, and happy memories.  What else can you ask?

Participants taking a break from the festivities
to enjoy the vendor's fare