Reenactors portray soldiers from the East and Middle Kingdoms as they fight with rattan weapons during a previous Pennsic War reenactment at Cooper's Lake Campground in Slippery Rock. Butler Eagle File photo

WORTH TWP — Cooper’s Lake Campground will transport campers back in time in coming weekends.

The Pennsic War, a Medieval reenactment event now in its 49th year, is returning to the campgrounds after a two-year hiatus brought about by COVID-19, for more than two weeks starting Sunday.

Gregory Turkich, project coordinator for this year’s Pennsic War 49, said the event is one of the most attended Medieval reenactments in the nation, and the approximately 9,000 people registered to attend this year are dedicated to creating an environment that mimics the Middle Ages during their stay.

“When it starts, one of the rules is it’s an attempt to make it real,” he said. “It’s like a World War I or World War II reenactment where we want as much to be as accurate as possible.”

Turkich said the Society for Creative Anachronism, which is the organization that governs the Pennsic War, aims for “modern Medieval,” meaning the event strives to be much more inclusive than the actual Middle Ages, while still maintaining the aesthetic and effort.

The attendees, who can only enter through registration for one- or two-week sessions at the campground, put a lot of effort into not only their knowledge of the time period, but creating their Middle Age apparel and supplies, Turkich said. Regular attendees pack anything they can into their bags and tents to make sure they have all they need for the event period.

“We will make costumes by hand, stitch by stitch,” he said. “(Attendees) reward people for their sense of achievement, the work you put into it.”

Turkich also said plumbing, safe food preparation and emergency services are available to attendees because they “don’t want to get dysentery like they used to.” However, the event offers an escape for many people, because of their dedication to the authenticity of the reenactment of the time period.

Additionally, most of the people who attend the event are supportive of one another and enjoy getting and sharing tips about creating Medieval attire. Turkich, who has traveled from Australia to attend the Pennsic War for 30 years now, agreed.

“In a way, people can go away from modernity for two weeks,” Turkich said. “The appeal for a lot of people is it’s a mix of all walks of life.”

Medieval reenactors likely can be seen recreating battles at the campground, but also moseying around stores in Butler County from Sunday through Aug. 14.

“The people here are really fantastic, they are so friendly to us,” Turkich said. “They’ll see them in Walmart and just know, ‘They’re from that Medieval festival.’”

Only people who registered for the event are allowed entry into Pennsic War, but Turkich encouraged people to look into attending other events like it, or even looking at joining next year.