 Festivals & Tournaments
History to Be Made & Revisited in Ontonagon Ontonagon - Michigan
history will be made this summer, July 29th - August 6th, in an area
already rich in history dating back for centuries. The occasion
will be the National Midwest NRLHF Pre-1840 Rendezvous, the first
national rendezvous ever to be held in the state's beautiful Upper
Peninsula. The selected site is just outside the village limits
of Ontonagon and along side the Ontonagon River. NRLHF refers to
the National Rendezvous and Living History Foundation, which sponsors
the national rendezvous events throughout American all year long. Traditionally all of
Michigan was part of the Old Northwest Territory rendezvous circuit,
but the U.P. was recently conceded to the Midwest circuit. And so
another first will make its mark in '05 rendezvousing history, as the
Ontonagon event will be the first National Midwest Rendezvous ever to
be held anywhere in the state. Additionally, the '05 National
Midwest will mark the first time a Tall Ship will make an appearance
during the days of any national rendezvous event anywhere in the
country. This historic first will
be led by Booshway Tom Hamilton of Virginia, who for many years has
wanted to bring a national rendezvous to the land of his birth near the
shores of Lake Superior, the shores of Gitche Gumee immortalized in
Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha". The National Midwest
Rendezvous will be held at a picturesque and expansive grassy green
area located at the end of a road, aptly named River Road, running by
the town's marina and along the banks of the Ontonagon River.
Early set-up will get understand on July 25th and it won't take long
for the pastoral scene to be dotted with hundreds of primitive white
walled tents and tepees, typical of pre-1840 America. Participant attendance
at a primitive event means that all clothing, lodges, and accouterments
must be in keeping with the period of 1640 through 1840 in North
America. All modern day items must be kept out of sight at all
times, and even photography equipment must be covered when not in
use. Safety is paramount in all things, but particularly in the
use of weaponry and fires. As in all settlements, tasks will be
assigned to make sure everything is run according to Hoyle without
jeopardizing the pleasure and camaraderie of the rendezvous
participants and their families. "While one might think
that leaving the creature comforts of modern day living behind in favor
of a primitive experience such as these rendezvous provide, it's a form
of recreation thousands of men, women, and children enjoy year round,"
said Tom Hamilton. "It goes toward saying much about these folks
dedication to a traditional heritage spawned in years gone by." The National Midwest
Rendezvous will be open to the public daily from 9 am until 5 pm
July 29th through August 6th. While the shooting contests, hawk
and knife throws, women's cooking contests and games, and children's
games are limited to registered rendezvousers only, the public is most
welcome to watch these events and root for winners of their
choice. The public is also very
welcome to watch the cannoneers at work and to check out the voyager's
canoes, replicates of those used by French trappers to transport the
fruits of their labor. Some Voyagers coming to Ontonagon will be
treated to a pre-rendezvous trip to Lake Superior's Isle Royale aboard
the Ranger III, moored between the Copper Country sister cities of
Houghton and Hancock on the Portage Canal. Upon arrival, the
trappers will carry out a documented expedition around the island,
bringing back tales of their adventure to share will all. Voyagers and others
along the Great Lakes depended greatly on schooners, also called Tall
Ships, sailing to and from the port of Montreal where goods were off
loaded and then the ships reloaded with badly needed supplies.
Although rendezvous supplies will not be shipped to Ontonagon, one such
schooner will be sailing into the Ontonagon Harbor during eh days of
the rendezvous, weather permitting. Ontonagon village
officials, with a great deal of support from community members and
friends throughout the Copper Country have worked with the American
Sail Training Association and now have a nod of approval for the Tall
Ship Denis Sullivan to set sail toward the "Harbor Town" this
summer. The "Tall Ships" are supported by the Copper Country
Community Arts Council and is a program of the Michigan Council for
Arts and Cultural Affairs. Plans call for the
replicated schooner, Milwaukee home port "Pier Wisconsin," to drop
anchor in the Ontonagon Harbor the afternoon of Friday, July 29th and
remain until Monday, August 1st for a full day of "sail touring" and
dockside inspection. To add to the
excitement, it's anticipated the size of the Denis Sullivan will be
truly appreciated as smaller boats under sail escort it into
view. Ontonagon Village Manager, Penny Osier, may be contacted at
906-884-2305 for more information about the visiting ship's
itinerary. Information about Pier Wisconsin and American Sail
Training Association can be found online at www.pierwisconsin.org and www.tallshipssailing.org. In anticipation of the
arrival of the Tall Ship, the rendezvous staff is preparing to work
with village officials, ASTA, and Pier Wisconsin to present a
historical pre-1840 "Greeting Ceremony" re-enactment for the Captain of
the Denis Sullivan and her crew. This will include the Captain
and representatives of the Denis Sullivan, community officials, Native
Americans, the rendezvous staff, and other rendezvous participants,
such as the Voyagers dressed in traditionally colorful pre-1840
clothing. According to Booshway
Hamilton, the ceremony will take place under the direction of
knowledgeable members of the National Rendezvous and Living History
Foundation, and include a re-enactment of a "Council Fire Meeting and
Greeting" between the four groups, the "Smoking of the Peace Pipe", and
an "Exchange of Ceremonial Gifts". After exchanging gifts, the
village's Master of Ceremonies will introduce community leaders and
visiting dignitaries for a more modern day tribute to the history of
the area, concluding with the "Firing of the Cannons" brought in from
the rendezvous site. During the Rendezvous
Days there will be many historical and educational seminars hosted each
day, which the public may also attend. The long seminar list
includes such titles as Scottish History and Culture, Silversmithing,
Medicinal Herbs in North America, Woodenware: The Proper Dish,
Leatherworking, Jesuit Rings: Trade Items for the Indians, and a Bow
and Arrow Demonstration, which will be done using primitive archery
equipment. Most seminars are an hour in length. Another popular area for
participants and the public to gather will be "Trader's Row" where many
talented rendezvousers display and sell homemade wares and collectibles
indicative of pre-1840 America. This may include bead workers,
leatherworkers, sliver and coppersmiths, blacksmiths, candle makers,
bow and arrow craftsmen, furniture makers and carvers, potters, Native
American crafters, weavers, and a host of others, all well skilled in
their various trades. Should hunger or thirst
set in, visitors will find provisions to satisfy needs, and might even
be entertained by a passing fiddler or two with a gleam of merriment in
their eyes. Sanitary facilities will be located on site, but they
won't be as primitive as the public might expect at a pre-1840
rendezvous. As participants are not allowed to have pets within
the gate, it's requested that visitors also respect this rule. There will be special
youth days when scout packs and other children's groups will receive
some undivided attention, and all days enlisted military, veterans, as
well as members of servicemen's auxiliaries, will be admitted at a
reduced rate, provided they wear caps denoting their military branch of
service or membership in a veteran's auxiliary. The cost of admission
will be $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 13 to 18; children ages
12 and under will be admitted at no cost. The staff respectfully
requests that a parent or responsible adult accompanies children under
their care at all times while at the rendezvous site. "I know I can speak on
behalf of the 2005 National Midwest Rendezvous staff when I say how
appreciative we are of the Village of Ontonagon's citizens; as well as
all in the surrounding communities," said the Booshway. "So many folks
in the U.P. are welcoming the National NRLHF Pre-1840 Rendezvous, it's
participants, and ou4r visitors to share in the magic that I've always
felt makes this part of America so special. Anyone wanting more information about the NRLHF Rendezvous should explore www.MWPR2005.com. Additionally, questions may be asked of C.J. Williams at (906) 338-2507 or cjwms@up.net, and also by calling Tom Hamilton in Virginia at (804)328-1532. Maps, registration information, and site for camping can be viewed in great details at http://www.mwpr2005.com/welcome.htm. ©2005 CopperCountry.com,Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. |
