2023 Tennessee River Rendezvous: 2 days of storytelling, experiencing decades with in-character portrayals.
HARDIN COUNTY, TENNESSEE ……History comes alive in the river town of Saltillo, Tennessee on April 14-15, 2023 at the 3rd Annual Tennessee River Rendezvous– a primitive art and weaponry/history festival. This fun-filled 2-day free event is packed full of reenactors of Native American, Mountain Men, French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World War I and II periods.
Hosted by the City of Saltillo at a new location near downtown on Smith Farms, 215 Ashley Road/Hwy 69 Saltillo Tennessee, there will be food and art vendors, music, and reenactor campsites for attendees to enjoy. Times are Friday, April 14 from 8am to 6pm and again on Saturday, April 15 from 8am to 6pm.
Event organizer Mike Fields said “We will have many demonstrations throughout the weekend. Cannon firings, flint lock musket firings, ancestral drums, stories, wood carvings… not to mention the food! Plus, many vendors and craftsman will also be on site. Make plans to come out and enjoy!”
Location:
Smith Family Farm
215 Ashley Road
Saltillo, TN 38370
Contact Host:
Town of Saltillo
Phone: 731-325-7002
Fax: 731-687-3292
Email: Saltillo.gov@cityofsaltillo.org
During this 2-day time lined event everyone can expect to experience what life was like in each of the represented times. Along with period encampments, spectators will be able to see demonstrations, and can participate in many hands-on activities.
Ranging from Native American games, bead work, flint knapping, wood working, pelt tanning, metal forging, axe and knife throwing, period weapons demonstrations, uniform discussions, “Father of Tennessee” John Sevier talks, cooking, soap making, sutlers… just to name a few!
Period activities include:
• Civil war era music from the Lost Cause Band.
• 30-minute Civil War re-enactment on Saturday, April 15 depicting the skirmishes that took place in the area during the war.
• vintage WWII plane flyovers (weather permitting), several WWII reenactors both American and German with vintage military equipment…Jeeps, motorcycles, etc.
• WWI and WWII era Red Cross medical tents
Along with the historical sections of the festival there will be a host of area arts and crafts vendors on site for everyone who loves to shop and see the craftsmanship of these talented artisans. Artwork, knives, cups, candy, wreathes, chain saw carvings, leather, clothes, belts, jewelry, and more.
Food will also be in abundance! Cowboy Chuck wagon cooking, burgers, doughnuts, shaved ice, Tennessee River Pirate Cajun cooking team, BBQ, fried pies, beef jerky, drink truck.
By special appearance, come meet John Thomas Wayne grandson of western movie star “The Duke” John Wayne. Wayne is a renowned western author and speaker. He will have a meet & greet and book signing both days of the event.
If you are a fan of western novels and movies, this is the perfect opportunity to pull on your boots and hat and chat about cowboys and legends.
Friday, April 14 – 8am-6pm
– School days for students. This day will also be open to the public.
– Meet & greet and book signing by John Thomas Wayne, western author & grandson of the “Duke” John Wayne.
Saturday, April 15 – 8am-6pm
9 am – 9:30 – Opening Ceremony honoring local WWII veteran Charles Eason who served in Patton’s 3rd army in France and Germany. During the ceremony the WWII plane is scheduled to fly over.
1 pm – 2 pm – Civil war era music Lost Cause Band
2 pm – 3 pm – Civil war reenactment
Meet & greet and book signing by John Thomas Wayne, western author and grandson of the “The Duke” John Wayne.
8 am – 6 pm – All camps will be open. Demonstrations occurring throughout the day.
Period Competition Shoot will also be happening throughout the day with the exception of during reenactment time.