The Ft. Yargo Living History Society, in conjunction with Fort Yargo State Park and the Friends of Fort
Yargo, invite you to apply to join us for the first annual Fort Yargo Colonial Market Faire. The full event
will be held on Saturday & Sunday, March 20-21, 2010. Set-up can begin any time after noon on
Thursday, March 18. There will be public in the camp area on Friday, March 19. This event will be held
at the grounds surrounding the historic Ft. Yargo blockhouse in Ft. Yargo State Park, Winder, GA
This event seeks to demonstrate colonial life during the late 18th to early 19th centuries. We are
looking for quality living historians who can share with the public the skills, crafts, and general
atmosphere of the years between 1760 and.1815. We request the highest level of historical accuracy
and interest in interacting with the public in meaningful historical interpretation that you can provide. We
believe that a jury process of selection for camps, trades, and vendors will help us to achieve our goals.
We have all been at events that were less period correct than we had hoped they’d be, and we
recognize that it is very difficult to improve authenticity if the expectations were too low at the
beginning. We hope that we offend no one, particularly those who work hard to improve their
presentation regularly!
1. Please remain in period clothing at all times after completing your set-up. Vehicles are not permitted in the camp area after your set-up is complete, and no vehicles will be permitted in the camp area after 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Your camp and appearance will be reviewed for authenticity. Items that are found to be in conflict with our stated purpose must be removed from view. Failure to do so will result in removal from the event. The decisions of the camp organizers are final.
2. All items used or sold at the Ft. Yargo Colonial Market Faire will be authentic to the years 1760 – 1815. This includes clothing, furnishings, guns, knives, shoes, hats, baggage, eating utensils, cooking utensils, foods, etc. No Western or Plains Indian articles should be used or sold. The following items may not be sold in the historic camp area: *Chinese bamboo flutes, *hatchets, *pop-guns, *archaeological artifacts, *animal skins and parts (without proper DNR certified proof, *mass-produced items (souvenir items, t-shirts, etc.), *books, patterns, & media may be sold but must remain hidden at all times.
3. All camps must register prior to setting up. All sites will be marked out and assigned according to the information you supply us on your application. The use of a canvas wedge tent, lean-to, wall tent, or marquee is encouraged. Tipis, whelans, bakers, and one-pole, or center-pole, tents are not allowed. Other non-period styles must be approved prior to the event. Modern tents are not allowed in the historical camp. You may contact the state park for a site reservation if you need to use modern camping equipment. Modern equipment such as coolers, sleeping bags, cameras, and plastics must be kept covered or stored out of site. Wood, tin, ceramic, copper, brass, and iron are all acceptable cookware. No graniteware, modern enamelware, or aluminum please. No food or drink is to be served unless you have an 18th c. style cup, mug, or plate, etc. Clay pipes and chewing tobacco are acceptable, but no cigarettes outside of your lodge please. Alcohol may not be consumed at any time during public hours.
4. Clothing and appearance includes typical 18th c. to early 19th c. colonial apparel. Men’s clothing may
include french-fly or drop front breeches or trousers, long sleeved shirts made from a natural fabric
such as linen, cotton, or wool, leggings and breech clouts, weskits, neckerchiefs, weskits, tri-corn,
cocked, or slouch hats, workcaps, scarves of period fabric, and stockings. Women’s clothing may
include shifts, stays, petticoats (skirts), simple gowns, short gowns, bed jackets, scarves of period
fabric, and stockings. The following items are not allowed: *calico shirts, *long fringed buckskins,
*”Mountain man” clothing, *footwear, *non-natural fabrics, *renaissance fair, *pirate, or *western
clothing. Native portrayals for either men or women must be authentic to the tribe represented.
Children’s clothing generally follows the men’s and women’s fashions once boys were “breeched.”
Outerwear may include blanket coats, capotes, cloaks, and great coats. Eyeglasses should be
historically accurate or as reasonable a facsimile as possible.
5. Minor children are the sole responsibility of their parents. No one wants to see them in harm’s way, and parents need to supervise them at all times. The woodpile and water spigot are not play areas.
6. Firewood, water, and port-a-potties will be provided. No trees are to be cut down for any reason. Modern restroom facilities are available within the state park (1/4 mile or less). We will have ice available for purchase at nominal rates. Fires will need to be either in braziers or dug fire pits. Please remove the sod and replace it when you break camp. Fire buckets must be kept within 10 feet of your fire area at all times!
7. In order for the jury committee to maintain the level of authenticity we wish to present, at least one picture of your camp set-up, including your period apparel, must be submitted with your application. We will inform you as soon as possible of your application’s approval.
8. Please complete and return your application, with appropriate pictures, to: