Our lake place is close to the Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park and we enjoy visiting when the grounds are inhabited by reenactors. These folks reenact the rendezvous during which the Ojibwe and fur trappers would meet to exchange goods and relax at the end of the fur trapping season. The reenactors strive for authenticity and are willing to share the practices of the Native Americans and trappers. I have been to events at the Forts several times and enjoy discussions with the participants as much as whatever I can observe about the historical activities of the period they demonstrate.
These folks are serious about their hobby and attend multiple events during the summer. I imagined these folks to be history teachers and their families, but they are a diverse lot. I have wondered about the kids and their willingness to accompany their parents on the parents unusual way of spending significant chunks of their summers. It seems several have passed this interest on within their families. The candle maker (see later image) found that the life style was part of his relationship with his girlfriend and he found an activity he could portray.
Black powder weapons are always a big draw. I have watched marksperson contests in past years. This year the guy with the guns wanted me to fire his 50 caliber rifle. The bore on this thing is the size of a shotgun’s. The rifle was very heavy and would have been a challenge to carry hunting. I was surprised that it did not kick as much as expected. Perhaps this was also related to the weight of the weapon.
One of the few permanent sites on the rendezvous site is the clay ovens. Baking bread to sell to the trappers was evidently a great business. The demonstrations usually include the opportunity to sample something. The heat in the oven does not come from a live fire. A fire is started and then the coals removed. The heat is trapped by the clay. The baker said they sometimes cheat after the tourists leave. They leave the door open with a fire still going and make pizza.
The candle maker.
Smoking meat (chicken)
