Trader Dave Schellinger of Sheridan visited with a customer at Boudreaux’s Camp on Trader’s Row at the 1838 Rendezvous Site Wednesday. (Ernie Over photo)

(Riverton, Wyo.) – Held each year during the first week of July on the site of the original 1838 Rendezvous, this event features a re-creation of a trappers and traders encampment, games of skill, food, dancing and entertainment, all set in the manner of the 1830s.

The Rendezvous site is still much as it was in 1838, and it’s the only Rendezvous site that is still in a natural state. Many historians believe it was also the site of the 1830 Rendezvous, and in 1830 the supplies were brought in wagons on what was to become the Oregon Trail.  www.1838rendezvous.com

Topics to experience during the rendezvous include seminars on “skills history” of early fur trade era,  a primitive Tin Tipi (modern) Camp Areas, black powder shoots and Hawk Knife competitions and vendors dealing in pre-1840 Trade Goods.

“welcome” sign at one trader’s tent. (Ernie Over photo)

The week’s schedule:

Thursday, July 5
Shooting Range open: public/re-entry shoot 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Shooting Range
Blanket Shoot 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at the Shooting Range
Hawk Knife re-entry 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Hawk Knife Range
Seminar – TBA 10 a.m.
Seminar-Skin Hoop Beaver 11 a.m. at Jake Korell site
Seminar – TBA 12 p.m.
Seminar – Embroidery 1 p.m at the Roost
Seminar – TBA 2 p.m.
Shooting Range open: public/re-entry shoot 2 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Shooting Range
Kid’s Shoot 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Shooting Range
Dutch Oven Cooking 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Roost
Seminar – TBA 4 p.m.
Booshway Dinner 6 p.m. at the Roost
Prize Awards 7 p.m. at the Council Fire
Council Fire, entertainment 7 p.m. at the Council Fire

 

Tim Thornburg of Pavillion barters with Mike Ruby from Grand Junction, Colo., at Toad’s Trading Post at the 1338 Rendezvous. (Ernie Over photo)

Friday, July 6
Shooting Range open: public/re-entry shoot 8 a.m  – 12 p.m. at theShooting Range
Shoot – Last Man Standing 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Shooting Range
Hawk Knife re-entry 9am-5pm at the Hawk Knife Range
Seminar – TBA 10 a.m.
Seminar-TeePee Lore 11 a.m.at the Association Teepee
Seminar-Cordage and rope making 12 p.m. at the Travis Bennet site
Trap Setting Contest (kids, men, women) 1 p.m. at Jake Korell site
Seminar – TBA 1 p.m.
Seminar – TBA 2 p.m.
Shooting Range open: public/re-entry shoot 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Shooting Range
Seminar-Greenhorn Intro to black powder Shooting 3 p.m at the Shooting Range
Seminar – TBA 4 p.m.
Turn in Re-entry scores 4 p.m. at the Shooting Range
Shoot – re-entry tie breaker 5 p.m. at the Shooting Range
Council Fire, Prize Awards, Entertainment 7 p.m. at the Council Fire

 

Wearing authentic period duds, these visitors set up a camp at the 1838 Rendezvous site this week. From left, Justin Sutton of Prescott Valley, AZ, Mike Ruby of Grand Junction, CO, and Brandon Reidhead of Prescott Valley. (Ernie Over photo)

Saturday, July 7
Calcutta – Auction @ Roost 9 a.m.
Calcutta Shoot – immediately following Auction at the Shooting Range
Seminar-Trapping demonstration 10 a.m. site TBA
Seminar-Skin Hoop Beaver 11 a.m. at Jake Korell site
Seminar-Fire making 12 p.m.-1 p.m. at the Gazebo
Seminar-primitive cooking 1 p.m.-2 p.m. at the Gazebo
Trap Setting Contest (kids, men, women) 12 p.m. site TBA
Shooting Range open: public/exploding target 2 p.m.-6 p.m. at the Shooting Range
Seminar-TeePee Lore 2 p.m. at the Association Teepee
Kid’s Intro to Black Powder Shooting 3 p.m. at the Shooting Range
Intro to Hawk Knife Throwing 4 p.m. at the Hawk Knife Range
Prize Awards 7 p.m. at the Council Fire
Council Fire, entertainment 7 p.m. at the Council Fire

 

Silvertip Traders of Lyman, Wyo., Don and Marilyn Birch, waited for customers at their tent along Trader’s Row. (Ernie Over photo)

Sunday, July 8
Church Services 10 a.m. at the Council Fire
Closing Ceremonies 11 a.m. at the Council Fire

 

A primitive campsite at the 1838 Rendezvous Site. (Ernie Over photo)