USA grand event, has there been one?

[Caius Fabius]

One of the things about the Lafe event is that it is set in AD43-45, which limits which impressions you want to portray. Those with earlier or later impressions still show up, but most people are going for a mid-first century impression. Folks like my group who do earlier impressions can function well as auxiliaries, in coolus and hamata. The tunic color for the regular troops at Lafe is red or red brown, although we have blue and other colors for auxiliaries, and one or two guys show up in white.

If you plan to travel to different events, it is always good to have red and white (red brown and off white) tunics. so you can blend in. One or two guys in the "wrong" color or equipment 100+years out of period really do stand out and look strange in a period specific event, while they would do just fine in an event showing a time-line or the evolution of Roman armor, arms and equipments.

[Crispvs]

"..."wrong" color..."

I agree with you over equipment, which is a drum I bang quite a lot myself, but as in all likelihood the Romans did not understand our modern concept of uniformity, particularly with regard to tunic colour, perhaps this might be an opportunity to teach an impressionable public that all Roman legionaries may in fact not have worn the same colour tunics. Things which stand out often cause people to ask questions. This then becomes a prime means to explain things they may not have picked up properly from the field display.
I probably won't be able to make it over to America for the Lafe event myself but if I were to come I probably wouldn't be packing a red tunic.

Crispvs

[Caius Fabius]

perhaps this might be an opportunity to teach an impressionable public that all Roman legionaries may in fact not have worn the same colour tunics. Things which stand out often cause people to ask questions.

Fort Lafe is not for the public. and I usually have a white tunic, but for someone to be in the color not being used, really ruins the photos, especially if you are trying to set an atmosphere, say of about AD44 and one person insists on wearing a set of armor and tunic/trousers from AD 180. Some really good opportunities for photos and videos can be ruined by someone who has to prove a point at the expense of the group event. There is a time and place for individuality, but it is courteous to check with the event before you decide to "crash" the atmosphere by imposing your own "reality". You may find acceptance at some events and be shunned at others. It is like the guy who insists at showing up at a 1944 European event, to recreate the Battle of the Bulge, and wears his 1942 Pacific (perfectly accurate to the last strap of the puttee) outfit, just to show that he knows more than other people or to prove a point.

[Magnus]

One of the reasons I'm not a fan of sleeping outside during certain months, or in certain areas is because of the dampness and poor air quality. I used to have asthma as a young lad, and when the damp/polluted air is out in full force, it really makes breathing difficult sometimes. That in itself makes me appreciate controlled environments!

I had my fill of sleeping out in the army...it really made me appreciate what we take for granted.

Though if there wasn't much humidity (or pollution for that matter) wherever there was a camp-out event, I'd sleep outside.

[Crispvs]

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. As I said, I agree 100% with you over having the right equipment and type of clothing for the period. The colour was the only matter I was questioning.

Crispvs

[Caius Fabius]

I usually wear white tunics, and I found in my research on my advanced degree, the topic was in reference to Roman army tunic color, that white or red or brown, or other colors were in use, but if one color is in use at an event, it is helpful to be a part of the group, unless you are obviously not a legionnaire. As a tribune or an auxiliary or maybe even a surgeon, wearing a different color than everyone else would not be a problem. Being the only white tunic in a sea of red can be a problem and vice versa. There is something for first century centurions always wearing red, no matter what other colors are worn by the rank and file, even off duty!

[Chuck Russell]

if u build it they will come? hmmmm would they ? you think? hehehe. i may have to give deb a hand next year for recruitment in the RD in maryland and goto the Ft LAFE event before i would hold an event myself.