Historical Societies and costuming?

So this last week I met a few of the ladies and gents from some of the historical societies of Colorado while at Territory Days. For those of you who don't know Territory Days began in 1975 as the "Rampart Range Sertoma Territory Days Parade and Buffalo Barbeque". In 1976 the named was changed to Territory Days to commemorate Old Colorado City as the first capitol of the Colorado Territory in 1861. It is now a three-day street festival.

Check out the link http://www.shopoldcoloradocity.com/content.php?id=97


Anyway some of the most interesting stuff at territory days are all the historical groups, historical societies, civil war reinactment, gunslingers, indians... and ninjas.... samurai...

I am Not kidding. Their are a lot of fun people out there replicating history and it maybe unfair to call replicated, functional items, costumes or props. But the thing is these guys and gals put in a tremendous effort. Something many of us in the costuming world understand. My friends always laugh when I keep saying I want to make functional props or I would like Halloween costumes that don't fall apart (which is why I know build everything myself). But the point I am trying to make is making a functional prop is an art form and all costumers should take a little time and try it out.

So with out further gilding of the lilly, please enjoy some of the fine works I came across at the 2011 Territory Days.

DAY 1 (Sunday)
A few of the very best in show! I even played with photoshop to make some old timey photo effects.

Chics with guns scary....

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Poor Brooke, I tortured here by posing her with just about everyone and everything.

DAY 2 (Monday for me)

I am not sure if they where dressed for the day or visiting, but epic!

Working on the cowboy lean.

Panning for gold with friends.

If you don't see ninja's sneaking up on this samurai you failed the same spot check he did!