40th Annual Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres June 5 & 6
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Midwest's largest gathering of 1700s era soldiers, settlers, traders and campers celebrates its 40th anniversary this year as the Annual Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6 at Fort de Chartres State Historic Site near Prairie du Rocher.
Rendezvous features 1700s military units, traditional craft demonstrations, period music and dancing, black powder shooting events, cannon firings and more from the time when France controlled what is now the State of Illinois. And for the first time in the 40-year history of Rendezvous, pirates will make their way to the festivities in and around the fort. All activities are free and open to the public, and many feature public participation. The event is cosponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Les Coureur de Bois de Fort de Chartres, and Save Illinois History.
Each day's activities begin with the Opening Ceremony and Posting of Colours at 10 a.m. The Retreat Ceremony ends each day's activities at 4:30 p.m. An 18th century military tactical demonstration (mock battle) takes place at 2 p.m. each day, and the French Marines of Fort de Chartres will perform the Fort Toulouse Drill at 11 a.m. both days. Mass will be held Sunday, June 7 at 8 a.m. at stage #1, and a Protestant service, also at 8 a.m., at stage #2. A dance for all participants and visitors featuring period music and dancing will be held Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m. at the fort.
Rendezvous is famous for its period shooting and military competitions. Saturday and Sunday will feature rifle aggregate and smoothbore competition from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A Primitive Archery shoot will be held from 10 a.m. to noon both days. Knife and hawk throwing competition will be held both days from noon to 2:30 p.m., and La Grande Cannon Fusillade (The Big Cannon Shootout) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The fort's cannon will be fired hourly, preceded by an instruction in the art of cannon firing by the French Colonial Artillerie. New this year will be a Skillet Toss Competition, open to women of all ages, at 3 p.m. both days.
The Crew of the Mercury, formed from historians, hobbyists and craftsmen from around the globe interested in portraying a pirate crew of the early 1700s, will visit Rendezvous. While the actual brig-sloop does not exist, the crew of the Mercury endeavors to demonstrate the day to day lifestyle of sailors and landsmen living in the Golden Age of Piracy. Everything from cooking to boarding actions can be had while visiting the Mercury's careening camp. Rope making, carpentry, cartography, black powder shooting, navigation and all aspects of sea life can be seen and discussed with the Mercury crew.
Scores of period artisan and craft demonstrations will include pottery, blacksmithing, silversmithing, coopering, pewter casting, felt making, silk ribbon embroidery, weaving, wood-working, basketry, treenware making, silhouette cutting, and cordwaining. Many items will be for sale.
Period music and dance will be offered both days. Entertainers include Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps; The String Connection; Great River Fife and Drum Corps; Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps; Prairie du Rocher La Guiannee Society; The Peacocks Band; Booneslick Strings; the Living History Re-enactors Fife and Drum Corps; and the 42nd Royal Highlanders Band of Pipes, Fifes & Drums. Dr. Theophratus von Gerlach will present "The Future of 18th Century Medicine" each day at noon.
The Primitive Lifeways area east of the Fort will feature bow building demonstrations, native food ways, and daily life skills. Madeleines, an 18th century French cookie, will be baked in the fort's beehive oven by members of the Randolph County Historical Society. Working oxen demonstrations will take place periodically just east of the fort. The River Gate Food Court will feature a variety of period food, drink and musical entertainment under a large tent.
Those who utilize the special event parking area near Fort de Chartres will be charged $7 per car and $10 per bus. There will be no modern camping facilities.
Fort de Chartres State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.Illinois-History.gov), is located four miles west of Prairie du Rocher and 37 miles south of Belleville. Take Route 3 to Route 155 and follow the signs. For more information call (618) 284-7230, email ftdchart@htc.net, or visit www.ftdechartres.com on the web.