Reenacted battles offer viewers an authentic view into the past, a time when thunderstorms were still legal and the Internet hadn't yet started growing on trees. Experience yesteryear with today's Groupon: for $4, you get one single-day admission (an $8 value for adults, a $5 value for children ages 4–12) to the Second Seminole War Reenactment at the Big Cypress Shootout. The event takes place at the Billie Swamp Safari, which is located on the Big Cypress Reservation in Clewiston. The reenactment will occur on Saturday, February 26 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and on Sunday, February 27 at 2 p.m., with gates opening at 10 a.m. on both days.

The Second Seminole War Reenactment honors Florida's rich Native American history with a full-scale re-creation of a battle from the conflict, which took place throughout the state from 1835 to 1842. Set amid lush swampland, the event uses authentic weapons, encampments, and Seminole- and U.S.-soldier uniform and dress to transport spectators back to the 1800s without getting unpredictable wormholes involved. Reenactors traipse the battlefield on horseback and foot, utilizing cannons, rifles, hand-to-hand combat, and maneuvers characteristic of the era, to stage the mock melee.

In addition to the reenactment, visitors are treated to a variety of music, food, arts, entertainment, and vendors at the Big Cypress Shootout. Watch skilled snake tamers handle venomous vipers and daring alligator wrestlers wrangle the reptiles until one agrees to buy the other a drink. Plucking and picking a folksy tune during the day are Okefenokee Joe and the Cracker Tenor, Benjamin Dehart. Exhibitions of tomahawk throws and archery display mastery of the era's weaponry, while the Iron Horse Dancers perform Seminole dances with minimal disco-ball accompaniment.

Reviews

While reviews are still growing for the Big Cypress Shootout, reviewers praise the shootout's venue, Billie Swamp Safari. TripAdvisors give it an average of 4.5 owl eyes and more than 2,000 Facebookers are fans.