Southwest Illinois News - ETC. 29th Annual Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres

29th Annual Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres

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Visitors to the 29th Annual Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres enjoy an 18th century fashion show, "Fads and Fancies".

The Peacocks, a traditional music group, perform for visitors at the Rendezvous. (L. - R.) Jerry Wylie on violin, Barb Gillespie on hammered dulcimer and Bob Moeller (wearing sunglasses) on string bass. Joining in the fun is Daniel Mueth (red shirt) on guitar and Don Wylie on guitar.

29th Annual Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres
FORT de CHARTRES (June 5 - 6, 1999) - Hundreds of visitors to the Fort enjoyed the festivities of the midwest's largest gathering of 1700s era soldiers, traders and campers.

"What we are doing at the Fort is a reenactment of what a Rendezvous might have been like back then," said Ray Pinson, of Fenton, MO. According to Pinson, the Rendezvous began during the fur trading era. "It was so dangerous to bring the furs back from the Rocky Mountains, that it became more profitable for merchants to bring the stores to the trappers. Once a year, they would hold a Rendezvous or a month-long gathering of all the trappers. The stores would compete to get there first to buy the furs and then bring them back to St. Louis."

He noted that the festivities and costumes included different periods from the French/Indian, Colonial and Revolution War up to the 1840s.- Betty Magrath SLFP.com

Roni Fields of Fort Meyers, FL, joins her father, Ron Robinson of Bowling Green, KY, every year for the Rendezvous. Roni wears an Plains Indian outfit made by her father who was originally from the area. Ron stated that he was married at Fort de Chartres.

Ray Pinson of Fenton, MO, portrays an authentic First Regiment Afoot Corporal in the British army of 1759. Jedda Sherman and Ambrea Addanites are members of the Colonial Fife & Drum Corps, Alton, IL.

Jeremy Mulholland (left) of Prairie du Rocher and Jason Duensing of Prairie du Rocher demonstrate rope making during the Rendezvous. Jason is the son of Darrell Duensing, Site Manager, Fort de Chartres.

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