Application

We are looking for actors and musicians who are alone or part of a group that can preform historical pieces, dress in historical clothing and provide evidence of ability or past experience through YouTube or personal videos and or sound tracks.   

The Cooks Farm 250th celebration is an event featuring historical crafts and trades, first person interpretation, traditional music, and country foods. The success of this day will be earned through the quality and variety of its first class offerings.  This will be our first year to promote, preserve, demonstrate and enhance public appreciation and enjoyment of the historic crafts heritage of Fayette County and surrounding areas.                

The event will feature at least 20 entertainers, re-enactors and acting troupes.  We expect anywhere from 1000 to 5000+ visitors for the day.

Performers who wish to camp on the grounds will be able to do so with signed wavier.  We have a large field, "mountain top" (more like high hill area) and area of forest that will be available for encampment.

There will be no cost to camp, but only porta johns will be provided.     

 Participants are expected to interact with visitors, answer questions, and share their knowledge of their skills and its history.     

 

Reenactor Rules & Regulations

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1. All re-enactors must register upon arrival The Cook Farm at the information kiosk or at the main building.  It is the duty and responsibility of the Commanding Officer or Acting Commanding Officer to ensure that each and every member of his/her unit properly completes our waiver and reads and understands these Regulations and Safety Rules for Re-enactors.

2. The Commanding Officers, or Acting Commanding Officers, of all re-enactment units must be responsible adults no younger than twenty-one (21) years of age. The primary responsibility of a Commanding Officer or Acting Commanding Officer, is to train, oversee, care for, and control the members of his/her unit. Preparing battle plans, agendas, watch lists, etc. are secondary responsibilities. The ultimate responsibility and accountability for the appearance and the conduct of the unit, and each individual member of the unit, rests with the Commanding Officer or Acting Commanding Officer.

3. Vehicles must be unloaded as quickly as possible and moved to the designated re-enactors’ parking area. No vehicles are permitted anywhere else on the property except for designated parking areas after 9 am.  There are no exceptions to this rule. Re-enactors are encouraged to stay the entire day.  If you must leave before the end of the event, you must carry your gear off of site to your vehicle.

4. This is a non-smoking site. Smoking is prohibited during the event.  After and before events in open outside areas only. 

5. Please be respectful when vaping.  Keep out of view. Not permitted during active fighting or acting.

6. Report all damage or breakage to management in the main house or at information kiosk.

7. Firewood is available in and around the wooded areas. Any dead trees can be used, however care must be taken while obtaining it.

8.  Ashes must be cold and/or water dumped on them when not attended.

9. If candles are used, they must be in appropriate holders. There must be something under the candles to catch wax drippings. No candles or oil lamps may be left burning overnight in either buildings or tents.

10. Familiarize yourself with the locations and operation of fire extinguishers in the building.

11. All pets and animals must be pre-approved. All horses must have a negative Coggins certificate, which must be presented to a site official upon arrival, before the horse is taken off the trailer. 

12. All animal waste must be cleaned up and properly disposed of that is in any walking area. 

13. Gather all trash and place it in a dumpster or trash can.

14. Pick up and properly dispose of all paper cartridges, brass casings, and refuse after re- enactments.

15. Due to the nature of our audience, which includes small children, we ask that your displays and demonstrations be tasteful and appropriate.

16.  Please respect the site and leave it better than you found it.

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Safety:

1. All battles and skirmish activities and all encampments must take place within designated areas only. Ad Hoc or informal re-enactment battles or skirmishes are not permitted without prior approval. Violating these restrictions can endanger re-enactors, visitors, staff members, and/or physical facilities.

2. No alcoholic beverages may be consumed prior to any battle or skirmish, or when visitors are in attendance of the event. The use or possession of alcoholic beverages by anyone under the age of twenty-one (21) is strictly prohibited at any time.

3. The use or possession of illegal drugs or narcotics or the illegal use of prescription drugs property is prohibited. Violators will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement officials and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

4. All persons with medical conditions that require medicines or restriction of physical activities should make their condition known to the management.

5. Firearms;

a. No loaded firearms/are permitted on site except during organized battles.  No firearm will be discharged within a camp area. Live fire (projectiles of any kind) ARE ABSOLUETLY prohibited on property at any time.

b. Unit or group commanders will conduct a safety inspection, of all firearms prior to and after each battle or skirmish, Individual re-enactors who are not members of a unit or group will also be subject to a safety inspection, by the management, prior to and after each battle or skirmish.

c. All flintlock firearms must be equipped with hammer stalls and flash guards.

d. No round balls, mini-balls, or other types of projectiles shall be carried on or about the person while participating in re-enactments. Only paper cartridges (blanks) may be used or carried during re-enactments.

e. Paper cartridges (blanks) shall not contain a ball or other projectile of any kind. The paper cartridge must contain only black powder and must be rolled and glued or taped. Stapling the cartridges is specifically prohibited.

f. Ramrods may be carried, but not drawn during the re-enactment battles or skirmishes. Black powder must be poured into the bore of the firearm from the paper cartridge and the paper should be dropped on the ground or placed in a pocket, shooting bag, etc. Powder horns may be carried on the field, but must be empty.

B. Do not aim directly at any person when firing. All “shots” must be aimed over the head or to one side of the “opponent”. Care must be taken to ensure that “shots” are not fired at an “opponent” or near enough to any other person to cause injuries from muzzle flashes or burning powder. The discharge of a firearm at a person within forty yards is not permitted.

h. No minor under the see of sixteen (16) may possess, use, or carry an operational firearm at any time. Re-enactors between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one must be properly supervised by an adult while carrying an operational firearm.

i. Artillery use and safety will be governed by the attached rules and regulations.

6. Edged Weapons:

a. Edged weapons, including but not necessarily limited to, knives, swords, sabers, tomahawks, hatchets, and bayonets, may be carried and used for demonstration purposes. These edged weapons must, however, be properly sheathed and controlled to avoid injury.

b. Bayonets may be fixed, but charged no closer than twenty yards from any person.

c. Swords and sabers may be drawn for ceremonial purposes only.

7. Hand to Hand Combat:

a. Hand to hand combat of any kind is strictly prohibited.

8. Fires:

a. Camp fires and cooking fires must be carefully tended at all times, Do not leave fires unattended at any time.

b. All candles and lamps must be extinguished in buildings and tents before going to sleep.

c. A full, period appearing, water container to be used for fire fighting must be kept at each camp.

d. Fire pits should be dug and rocks placed around it.  Please clean out the fire pit and water it down before you g. Fire pits must be re-filled at the end of the re-enactment encampment and fireplace rings and/or stones must be returned to their original locations. No garbage or unburned wood shall be left in fire pits before covering them. Fires must be totally extinguished before sod is replaced on a fire pit.

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INSURANCE:

1. Any re-enactment unit or group intending to participate in this event must provide the Cook Farm 250th Celebration with proof of broad coverage liability insurance in the form of a certificate of insurance from the carrier. In addition, a complete roster listing all unit or group members’ names, addresses and telephone numbers, in case of an emergency, is required.

2. Individual re-enactors, not associated with a unit or group, intending to participate in this event must become a member of a unit or group with broad coverage liability insurance as indicated above or must have suitable individual liability insurance coverage evidenced by a certificate of insurance from the carrier.

3. All re-enactors must read and sign the Cook Farm Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement prior to participating in any encampment or re-enactment. Re-enactors under the age of eighteen must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must also sign the Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement. These Regulations and Safety Rules for Re-enactors must be read and understood prior to participating. 

NOTICE: Re-enactment unit commanders or group officers are responsible for ensuring that these policy statements and guidelines are made known to, and strictly adhered to, by their members. Individual re-enactors have no less duty and responsibility concerning these policy statements and guidelines.

   

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