Annual event sees members of Florida club leave behind modern life and live from state's land
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Have you ever imagined what it was like to live in the 1840s? Every year, more than 1,000 people take part in the Alafia River Rendezvous and do just that.

Greg and Kimberly Beisler living like Floridians in the 1840s.
READ: Historic winter storm brings record snowfall to Florida
Florida’s Frontiersmen Club
The backstory:
There's no electricity and no cars. For several days, members of the Florida Frontiersmen Club live life like it was in the 1840s as a way to raise awareness and help Florida's history.
Every January, Greg and Kimberly Beisler leave their modern life behind and, for several days, live as people did in 1840.

Greg and Kimberly Beisler living like Floridians in the 1840s.
"Imagine having to go get your own water. We don't have water here. We don't have electricity here," Kimberly Beisler said.
Dig deeper:
They're just two of the more than 1,000 taking part in this year's Alafia River Rendezvous.
"You don't realize what a rat race your life is nowadays until you're doing something like this," Kimberly Beisler said.
READ: City of Lakeland to hear from public before deciding on fluoride in water supply
It's a yearly event in January put on by the Florida Frontiersmen Club to raise awareness about Florida’s history.

Kimberly Beisler living like Floridians in the 1840s.
"You're having to physically work harder to provide for yourself and to cook and to get wood for heat," Kimberly Beisler said.
2025 Alafia River Rendezvous
What's next:
From January 15-25, members live life just as it was in 1840, from building fires to cooking in a cast iron skillet. They can bring food and clothing, but every other aspect is no different from how it was in the 1840s.
READ: Snow in Florida: ‘Yes, Florida has snowplows’ to clear the roads
"It's harder, but simpler. You don't have the mental drain," Kimberly Beisler said.
The encampment is located in Homeland off US 17 between Bartow and Fort Meade.
Kimberly Beisler says she hopes the experience encourages people to learn more about Florida's history and appreciate those who helped make Florida what it is today.
"I have a very deep appreciation for the people that have lived like this because they they had to endure everything," Kimberly Beisler said. "Harsh weather if it if they didn't go get food for themselves, they starved."
READ: Florida power outages: Thousands of households impacted by winter system
Visitor Days happen on Friday, January 24, and Saturday, January 25, when the encampment opens up to the public.
Open to the public
Anyone can come to take part in the activities and learn about the way of life in the 1840s. For more information, click here.
The Source: FOX 13’s Jordan Bowen collected the information in this story courtesy of Kimberly and Greg Beisler.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
- Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
- Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
- Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
- Download the SkyTower Radar app
- Sign up for FOX 13’s daily newsletter