2019 Camp Dubois Fall Rendezvous
Experience Mountain Man life at the annual Camp Dubois Fall Rendezvous on October 25-27, 2019 at Camp Dubois near the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Wood River, Illinois. The Camp Dubois Fall Rendezvous celebrates the pre-1840s fur trade era with reenactors camping at a replica of Lewis and Clark’s 1803-1804 winter encampment in teepees and period tents. Activities includes tomahawk and knife throwing competitions, black powder and archery contests, and other period demonstrations, food, crafts, and live entertainment.
Camp Dubois Fall Rendezvous
Visitors and history lovers alike are welcomed to the Camp Dubois Fall Rendezvous. Historical reenactors set up camp in the area around and inside the replica of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s encampment. Talk with them and learn about starting fires with flint and steel, cooking over open camp fires, making clothes from animal hides, or how Lewis and Clark prepared for their journey. The original Camp Dubois, located toward Hartford, was where their expedition to the newly purchased American west began.
We are planning on having both 3 black powder shoots on Saturday and a long bow shoots on Sunday. Both the bread ovens and the grills will be fired up to provide food during the day. We have traditionally done a potluck on Saturday night and invite anyone staying to join us.
Artisans will be providing goods and information about crafts such as blacksmithing, rope making, basket weaving, and making canoes. Many of these artisans will be demonstrating how their wares are made. You’ll see men, women and children cook on open fires, conduct trade, present period demonstrations and tell stories. Just watch, or step back into time with them.
Public Welcome – Admission Free
Camp Dubois Fall Rendezvous Public Hours:
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Features:
* Flag Ceremony Daily 10:00 a.m.
* 3 Blackpowder Shoot on Saturday
• 10 am – $5 buy in – winner receives a $20 Blanket Prize;
• 1 pm – 50/50 shoot ($5 buy in)
• 3 pm – post shoot 3 man teams ($5 per person); winning team gets 50% of money paid in.
* 3 bow shoots on Sunday starting at 1pm
• $5 buy in – winner receives a $10 blanket prize
• 50/50 shoot for the best poker hand
• Duel Shoot – winner take all – prize provided
* Tomahawk Throw and Knife blocks
* Saturday Night Potluck
* Food vendor and bread ovens going.
Camp Dubois Fall Rendezvous Mini-Gallery
Camping
Early Setup: Wednesday before the event
Primitive Camp Fee $10.00
Modern Camp Fee $15.00 (Scouts welcome)
Camping fee for the Camp Dubois Fall Rendezvous provides campsites, water, firewood and a climatized comfort station with showers for those participants spending the night.
Traders
Traders Fee $25.00
There will be a primitive camping area geared to authenticity (1750-1840). Those Traders and artisans who qualify will be assured of a good place for public exposure.
General Rules:
* All items sold, demonstrated or traded must be fro the 1700-1840 era.
* Pets must be on a leash and under control at all times.
* No vehicles in camp after 9:00 Saturday morning until Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Location
Camp Dubois
198 N Main St,
Wood River, IL 62095
Directions: Intersection of IL Rte 3 & IL Rte 143
Continue West on Route 143 until you go over a train overpass.
Just after the over the overpass, turn North on Ferguson.
Follow Ferguson/N Main Street until it dead ends into parking lot.
For More Information
Luke Reinhold (314) 223-2621 lukereinhold27@gmail.com
About Camp Dubois
Camp DuBois is a replica of the 1803-04 fort of Lewis and Clark as it existed 200 years ago. The Corps of Discovery of St. Charles is an all-volunteer organization and there is no guarantee that there will be reenactors at the site at all times or that the site will be open to visit. If you are planning to make a trip to visit Camp DuBois you may want to schedule your trip on Wednesdays through Sundays when Camp River Dubois, the Illinois State Historic Site located 4 miles south of Camp DuBois on Route 3, is open and both sites can be visited. Camp River Dubois features another version of 1803-1804 winter encampment and features a Visitors Center with 4 galleries of exhibits and displays. Visitors and other groups wishing to visit Camp DuBois should call the Wood River Museum and Visitors Center at 618-254-1993 to ensure that the site will be open. There is no charge to visit Camp DuBois.
About the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site (about 3 miles from Camp Dubois) commemorates the 1803-1804 winter camp of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. It was at Camp Dubois that members of the Corps of Discovery prepared for their expedition to the Pacific Ocean. The 14,000 square-foot exhibit space contains six galleries that outline the background and history of the Lewis and Clark expedition from its conception to its meaning for today’s America. Exhibits are kid-friendly, offering opportunities for hands-on engagement. This is a ‘must see’ for folks that make it to the Camp Dubois Fall Rendezvous.
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss the next Camp Dubois Fall Rendezvous on the last weekend of October at Camp Dubois on the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Wood River, Illinois.
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