The sun was just peeking above the horizon when Jim Parmer shot out of bed Aug. 25.

He fidgeted with excitement all day until it was time to get ready. Around noon, he gave himself a closer shave than normal to complement the buzz-style haircut he had received Thursday.

His authentic flint was ready, and the clothing items he would use to become a member of the Creek Tribe later that day — a long white shirt, pants with fringe and moccasins — were laid out on a chair, ready to go.

Parmer was ready for battle, though battle wouldn’t start until 3 p.m.

Like hundreds of other men and women, Parmer was looking forward to participating in the re-enactment of the Fort Mims massacre at the Fort Mims Restoration Association’s 199th commemoration weekend.

Hundreds of white settlers were killed during the massacre, which occurred Aug. 30, 1813, at Fort Mims, near Stockton.

For Parmer, Fort Mims was the place where he suited up for the first time in 2004, and it is always nostalgic to return.

“That first time was very exciting for me,” Parmer said. “It was something I had never done. You don’t really know what to expect, and then all the sudden guns go off and people start screaming, and you’re like, ‘Oh, wow.’”

For Parmer and others, re-enactment is not just about running around in a field in a costume or getting to fire weapons.

“It’s like being a teacher, I guess — it’s the job I never had that I always wanted,” Parmer said. “I’m really passionate about it. It’s to honor my ancestors, but it’s also about teaching people what went on back then.”

Parmer said re-enactment requires a lot of research, time and money.

As a member of the 15th Confederate Cavalry, Parmer also participates in several Civil War re-enactments throughout the year.

He owns a Confederate uniform and weapon as well as Creek Indian ones.

Every year, he invests more money into upgrading his equipment.

“You have to make or buy your clothing,” Parmer said. “It’s kind of expensive for the Creeks because it’s buckskin. I start out and get the bare basics, and I add on as the years go on. I call it upgrading my impression.”

For basic Creek Indian gear, the cost is about $600. For the cheapest Civil War uniform and gun, re-enactors pay at least $800. Some people spend thousands of dollars yearly, Parmer said.

Safety is also an important part of re-enacting. Parmer said at most events, practice is required to make sure everything goes smoothly. Each re-enactor must know how to properly fire his gun, which is loaded with blanks during re-enactments.

However, the gunpowder gets extremely hot, and it can cause burns if fired at close range. There is a particular way to aim the guns so injuries are prevented, and Parmer said he always feels safe at events.

Although it is a club like any other, complete with camaraderie, new friendships and Christmas parties, Parmer said re-enacting with the 15th Confederate Cavalry is more than just a hobby or a way to make friends.

“The main reason I put on the uniform is to honor my ancestors,” he said. “History has always fascinated me because you never know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been. I have several ancestors that were in the Civil War, and my grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee.”

Parmer said studying for the re-enactments has made him realize how blessed he is to live in modern times. He hopes that through re-enactment, he can share that perspective with others.

“Just reading back about what they went through — it would be so hard for us to survive today because we’re so spoiled,” he said. “People don’t realize how gory it was. When I go out there and put the uniform on, I want people to understand why the Creeks were fighting the white person back then. If I’m a settler, I want them to know why I am here in this fort protecting it from the Indians. I want people to understand that everybody made a sacrifice.”