Story and photographs by Ruben Gusman Spectators began arriving and claiming their spots an hour before the Battles started With many of the Midwest states hit hard by cold temperatures and heavy snowstorms just days before the reenactment, it appeared the weekends events may suffer from the inclement weather. The phone calls began to come into the Prairie Grove State Park office as individuals called to cancel their participation. Some reenactors simply could not get out of their own driveways much less to the Northern Arkansas Reenactment site. We called the site to check the situation the day before and learned that only light snow had fallen but was already quickly melting. The event, as always would continue regardless of the weather. The morning of the first day was brisk and cloudy with cool temperatures around 35 degrees. Troops warmly dressed and bundled up began their rigourous drilling routines. Captain John Kimmel and other Confederates ready for early morning drills Temperatures, however, slowly began to rise and cloudy skies gave way to an unusually, warm December sun. By mid-afternoon temperatures hit the mid fifties and later reached a high of 59 degrees. Remembering the last event at this site two years previous, this was quite a nice change. Temperatures during the 2000 reenactment barely reached a high of 22 degrees! Making the rounds around the various camps it became apparent that many reenactors braved the elements and were ready for a good weekend. Approximately 850 living historians were in attendance. While perhaps a slightly smaller than normal number, considering the conditions prior to the event, this was nevertheless a very good turnout. View of Spectators from the Battlefield 30 minutes before the Battle The spectator turnout was even better. A crowd of over 5000 people gathered over the two day event to watch history relived right before their eyes. Saturdays battle seemed to draw a heavier audience as the entire hillside was littered with history enthusiast. Confederate reenactors provided a special treat for the the spectators at the conclusion of the second days battle. (Read the Full Story) The second day of the reenactment was even a little warmer as the temperatures hit a high of 65 degrees. With the Prairie Grove Reenactment always held in early December, you never know what to expect with the weather. but on this particular year, the weather gods smiled down apon the Arkansas battlefield and contributed to the events great success! We will be back for the 2004 event, weather permitting!

(All articles and photographs published on this site are copyrighted and may not be used or reproduced for any purpose without the permission of the editor)