Step back in time at the 48th Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous this Memorial Day Weekend. Celebrate the color, costume, and lifestyle of the 18th century. Browse among 100 authentic merchant and food booths on the grounds of the French Commons located at Second and Willow Streets behind the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.
The theme for this year’s event will be George Germain Viscount Sackville – Secretary for the Colonies, the name sake of the British fort that was captured by George Rogers Clark in 1779.
Authentic battle re-enactments are an exciting crowd-pleaser and feature the capture of Fort Sackville between the Colonial and British troops. Battles are scheduled for 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12:30 Noon and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Vendor booths will give demonstrations of early frontier skills and offer period wares for sale, such as pottery, leather goods, wooden toys, pewter, herbs, wood bowls, baskets, iron works, period clothing, and more.
Adult admission $12 per day at the gate, children (6-12) $2. Buttons good for both days cost $15; advance buttons are available for $12 at the Knox/Vincennes Visitor’s Bureau and all Vincennes area financial institutions. Online purchases can be made through an ON Tap link or by visiting the website www.spiritofvincennes.org. Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. (EDT) to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Throughout the two-day event, visitors can stroll through the authentic encampment and interact with re-enactor members of the Northwest Territory Alliance. And there will be ongoing entertainment, period music, oxen, children’s games, storytellers, and more.
Food vendors will serve a wide variety of period foods including sausage sandwiches, pork chops, crick fried taters, corn on the cob, homemade pies, bread pudding, and even strawberry shortcake.
Stage entertainment and strolling musicians as well as the traditional Fife and Drum Corps will fill the grounds with the sounds and tales of the period.
Additional Rendezvous activities include Saturday evening candlelight tours of Grouseland – home of 9th U.S. President William Henry Harrison. Free transportation is provided for those wearing a Rendezvous button.
Details are available online at www.spiritofvincennes.org, or by calling 800-886-6443, or on the group’s Facebook page.
