Regency Costumes

 

 

World record - for most costumes?

By NICK GARDINER, THE RECORDER AND TIMES

Updated 3 minutes ago

SPENCERVILLE -- Where would you put 410 people dressed in period clothing from the 1800s?

In the Guinness World Book of Records, of course.
That's the plan for the Spencerville Mill's Bicentennial Heritage Fair committee, which is counting on fair volunteers, re-enactors from far and wide and local residents to garb up in their Regency finery to cinch the Guiness title in June.
"We're already halfway there (to a record)," said Alicia Wanless, a director of the mill and manager of the St. Lawrence War of 1812 Alliance, which has ties to the event.
Wanless said organizers are assured of 250 people showing up for the record-breaking attempt in Regency costume, including about 100 fair volunteers and confirmed re-enactors such as the Canadian Fencibles and a civilian cohort that accompanies them on tour.
In addition, re-enactors from the American Forsythe Rifles and Glengarry Light Infantry, as well as members of the Kemptville Players, Grenville Historical Society and English Country Dancing classes are expected to attend, said Wanless.
She said grant applications have gone out to help attract several other re-enactor groups from as far away as Pickering, New York State and Montreal.
Wanless said dressing in period costume has become increasingly popular, fuelled in part by several Hollywood films in recent years based on Jane Austen novels from the early 1800s.
"There is definitely a lot of appeal, especially for women. It's a little harder to get men involved."
She said there is a pleasant reward for men who do wear the Regency regalia.
"Men look really handsome dressed up in this period of clothing, and the women really like it.

"When the men see how the women respond, they might get more involved," said Wanless.

A costume competition with different categories for men, women, children and businesses is designed to encourage participation.
The grand prize is four round-trip tickets on Via Rail anywhere between Brockville and Niagara Falls, and other prizes include two season passes to Upper Canada Village, as well as gift certificates and retail prizes.
Wanless hopes the prizes will increase interest in helping to beat the existing record of 409 people wearing Regency clothes at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England.
"I almost liken it to a heritage flashmob," she said.
Mill foundation chairman Brenda Ball is encouraged by efforts to attract a record-breaking crowd.
"We have really reached out to the re-enactors in Ontario, Quebec and New York State," said Ball, who has her own heritage garments being prepared for the fair, which will celebrate the historic mill's 200th birthday this year.
She said a favourable response from local residents for the inaugural 2011 heritage fair bodes well for area participation in the record attempt, she added.
"We are working to engage the local community," she said.
The record-breaking attempt will take place on Saturday, June 2 at a time to be determined in the afternoon.
Ball said the Guinness attempt is a prelude to a Regency Ball and Dinner later that evening, "which is the big hurrah" for the two-day fair.
Ball called the fair "a gateway event" that reflects the mill's anniversary but also ties in in well with the War of 1812 bicentennial events scheduled in the area, said Ball.
"The mill is not directly related to the War of 1812, but we have partnered with the St. Lawrence War of 1812 Bicentennial Alliance because it is also the mill's bicentennial," she said.
"That's how it all married up."
Accordingly, many other mill events - such as costuming workshops and English Country Dancing lessons -have direct and indirect ties to the War of 1812 commemorations.
The mill also sponsors hands-on clothing workshops and other events for people interested in making period costumes for the heritage fair and coming War of 1812 events.
The next clothing workshop is set for Saturday, February 18 at the Spencerville Fire Hall. Cost is $20 per person and material is not provided.
Similarly, re-enactor and seamstress Mardi MacFarlane will talk about fabrics and styles at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 19 at the Red George Pub in Prescott. The presentation is the latest in a War of 1812 dinner series sponsored by the mill. A period menu is available and reservations are required by calling 613-925-8800.
nickg@recorder.ca