A Brief Recap of Cowboy Days at Old Baker Farm

Saturday, 14th October, 2023 - Sunday, 15th October, 2023 / Harpersville, AL (Shelby County)

A departure from our normal undertakings, Cowboy Days provides an opportunity for our company to have some fun in a later period. For this event we typically dawn the attire of the frontier following the war between the states in a time of great expansion and lawlessness.

Throughout the event, we participated in a story driven series of skits offset with another group of living historians. This schedule allowed for a skit or "shoot-out" every hour or so for patrons of the fall festival.

Old Bakers Farm itself is a working farm, with the event playing host to Cowboy Days, a Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Vendors, Food, and other attractions common to a Fall Festival. Attendance at the event saw more than 1000 people each day.

Though very different from our normal events, this particular event has some similarities in the way we camp and in some of the attention we place to detail and accuracy of impression.

Setting Camp:

Camping for this event featured my fly arranged in a different configuration with 2/3rds of the material configured in the manner of a wind break extending to the ground, while the remaining portion served as a small fly and ridge to shed any potential and unwelcome rain that might have found it's way to our location.

The weather wasn't too bothersome, though we had some slight rain on Sunday. The most impactful happening in regards to nature, would be the wind guests and very evident temperature change that occurred Saturday night. I would offer, that it was quite apparent that Fall had finally arrived in Alabama as the weather cooled drastically and the breeze had a cold chill to it as if warning of the cold to come.

We camped below the farm's primary barn and near the old cabin located in the rear of the property and near "Tombstone" which was established to the rear of us within an opening in the tree line just beyond the cabin. We typically camp in the same location each year and have done so for many years now. Our "spot" affords a location that is easily accessible to spectators and that is relevant to the rest of the property.

"Shootouts"

We had a number of shootouts which lasted anywhere from four to five minutes in length, and were only extended on the occasion that participants had multiple side arms to employ in the work and that our terrible acting skills could stall and draw out the skit at hand.

I personally only carried one pistol on Saturday (Uberti Cattleman), and would use a second pistol on Sunday. Some of our members carried both shotguns and pistols. It is important to reiterate that none of the guns we used were fake, they were all very much real and we employed the use of blanks to entertain spectators and ensure the safety of each other.

I ordered my blanks (45 cal. Long colt shells) from a company called "Atlantic Wall Blanks" which carries smoke and smokeless blanks appropriate for a number of different guns. I am very satisfied with the quality and performance of the blanks I ordered. They shipped quickly and met my expectations and I would highly recommend their products to anyone.

Temperance was not an option:

Each of the Skits progressed the storyline of Barry (Pictured on the Left - Red Bandanna), the village troublemaker, wanted by the Law, whilst sought by his own gang of bandits and outlaws. Throughout the day, he would be exchanged between the two groups at the expense of gun powder, smoke, and insults.

Eventually, the law prevailed with the notion that ole Barry might be better served with a "Hangin" given all the troubles he caused.

Barry's Escape in the midst of the shootout

Pictures taken from the Skits on Saturday:

It's not the best quality photo (below), but we very much enjoy this event each year and were glad to be part of another great event this year at Old Baker Farm. Special thanks to our friends and fellow living historians in the 6th AL and Voices of the Past for a great weekend of fellowship, fun, and history.