Free Trappers Rendezvous makes its way to Calhoun

By Editor | October 18, 2022 |

Calhoun County took a trip back in time to pre-1840s America last weekend with the Free Trappers Rendezvous. This year’s event consisted of about 100 individual reenactors and 50 camps. (Diane Brangenberg/Calhoun News-Herald)

Ironworkers give a demonstration at the Free Trappers Rendezvous in Hardin last Saturday. (Diane Brangenberg/Calhoun News-Herald)

Jim Phillips from “PopJacks” hands out free samples of Homemade sarsaparilla and root beer at the Free Trappers Rendezvous in Hardin. (Diane Brangenberg/Calhoun News-Herald)

Jason Heren gives an axe-throwing demonstration during the Free Trappers Rendezvous in Hardin. Diane Brangenberg/Calhoun News-Herald)

Last weekend, Free Trappers Rendezvous vendor, Candi Sanders, displayed handmade toys that would have been played with by children in the 1800s. (Diane Brangenberg/Calhoun News-Herald)

By Carissa Sitki

Calhoun County took a trip back in time to pre-1840s America last weekend with the Free Trappers Rendezvous event.
The Free Trappers of Piasa Territory (FTPT) hosted their annual Free Trappers Rendezvous at the Hardin Riverfront on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bright sunny weather on both days set the stage for the event’s various outdoor activities including flint and steel demonstrations, tomahawk and knife-throwing demonstrations as well as blacksmithing. There were various vendors and traders in period-appropriate-attire selling homemade items, clothing, accessories, tools, decorations, food, and more. Also at the event was a raffle and the always popular, candy cannon.
The Rendezvous used to be held in Grafton and this was the second year that the event was held in Hardin. It was well-attended on both days, according to FTPT member James (Bear) McDonald Jr.
“We had more than a fine turnout, not more than last year, but not less,” said McDonald. “It was definitely consistent, with the same number of participating camps. Organizations across the country are seeing their events grow smaller each year, so to maintain the same numbers as last year is always a good thing.”
This year’s Rendezvous consisted of about 100 individual reenactors, according to McDonald, and about 50 camps.
“We had a lot of great traders and participants at their camps, interacting with the crowds,” said McDonald.
McDonald extended gratitude to Hardin on behalf of FTPT, for all of their support of the event.
“Huge shoutout to the [Village] of Hardin for always going over and above to help us with securing the site and for giving us a home again,” said McDonald. “We really can’t thank them enough.”
Additionally, McDonald thanked the Riverdock restaurant for their support as well.
“Riverdock Restaurant helped us with event parking, they provided us with water, and really just general support,” said McDonald. “We can’t thank them enough either.”
Looking to the future, McDonald said that FTPT plans to keep on holding their Rendezvous events in the area and believes they will continue to be successful moving forward.
“We look forward to continuing to build this relationship,” said McDonald. “We think the event has a bright future in Hardin.”