Tecumseh Rendezvous at Tecumseh Oklahoma Frontier Days
Join us for the 3rd Annual Tecumseh Rendezvous on September 14-16, 2017 less than one mile south of downtown Tecumseh, Oklahoma at the intersection of Broadway and Highway 177. The Tecumseh Rendezvous takes place in conjunction with the Tecumseh Oklahoma Frontier Days Celebration hosted by the Indian Territory Rendezvous Club and is held on the third weekend in September.
Historical Background
The Rendezvous celebrates the early 1800s when this part of the western frontier was first explored by the young nation of the United States of America. We had recently acquired this land from the French. Many historic people traveled through this frontier including Randolph Marcy and James Wilkerson (a contingent of Pike’s expedition in 1806).
This area was made famous by the noted American writer, Washington Irving, during his journey through the Cross Timbers, an area known for its dense forest which Irving characterized as a “forest of cast iron.” Irving was accompanied by Henry Ellsworth, the new Commissioner of Indian Lands, and two notable Europeans, Latrobe and Count DePourtalés. During this time, a rendezvous would occur, an event where trappers and traders would gather along with Indian tribes and merchants to exchange goods for skins and pelts. Mountain men would look forward to these rendezvous as an annual opportunity to do business, restock, carouse and generally enjoy the company of their peers. Although formal rendezvous did not occur in Oklahoma, these types of impromptu social gatherings certainly occurred whenever the eastern travelers met with representatives of Indian tribes in this rich and fertile hunting ground. It’s in this spirit that we hold a rendezvous in the timbers of Tecumseh to share with modern students of history this fascinating and tantalizing slice of time.
– Pre-1840 Rules apply ti akkm trade goods included
– No vehicles in camp, 1 hour unload time
– Firewood & Water Furnished
– Perod dress required for primitive camp and traders row
– Trade blanket allowed
– Dutch oven cook-off and pot luck dinner on Saturday evening
– Dogs on leash, campers and public
– Downtown Parage on Saturday
– Events in town Wednesday through Saturday
– Campers $20; Traders $40
– Competition fee $5 per camper
– No walk-in competitors
About Frontier Days
The annual Frontier Days celebration occurs the third weekend of September with events scheduled from Thursday though Sunday. The purpose of this annual festival is to celebrate our rich and cultured past with those who call Tecumseh home and with our neighbors from around the state and region. The Tecumseh Redezvous was added to the festival in 2015.
This family-friendly festival includes Native American dancers, live bands, and 1800s characters in period costumes. Bring the kids to enjoy the small carnival, peruse the entries in the annual car show, dance in the street and take a walk through the Rendezvous – or as we like to call it – a walk through our historic past.
Come to Frontier Days and the Tecumseh Rrendezvous to immerse yourself in the spirit of the Old West. Walk through the Rendezvous located less than a mile from town. Walk through the trees, grab some grub from the food tent and interact with archery makers, craftsmen and women selling and demonstrating their wares. Leather workers, gun and archery experts and topographers, to name a few, together with the tents and accouterments, provide the setting that transports and connects us to our past.
Tentative Schedule of Events: Rendezvous and Festival
THURSDAY
Tecumseh Rendezvous
All day
5-7 p.m. Indian Taco Dinner – City Hall
6:45 p.m. Coronation of Frontier Sweetheart & Frontiersman – City Hall
7:15 -9 p.m. Gospel Sing Coordinated by Ministerial Alliance
In front of City Hall (Bring your lawn chairs)
FRIDAY
Tecumseh Rendezvous – All day
5-8 p.m. Arts & Crafts Booths, Street Vendors
7-9 p.m. Street Dance, Live Local Band
8 p.m. Rodeo
SATURDAY
6-7 a.m. Registration
7:30-7:45 a.m. Race begins
Barney Shirey Memorial 5k Run
Learn more and register.
See 2015 info; link will be updated when info is available.
6-10 a.m. Pancake Breakfast – Tecumseh American Legion
9 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Arts & Crafts Show – City Hall
10 a.m. Frontier Days Parade
Noon-10 p.m. Carnival – Park & Broadway
Tecumseh Rendezvous
All day
3:30 p.m. Pie Eating Contest
8 p.m. Rodeo, Tecumseh Round-up Grounds
For more information:
Redezvous: Booshway Ophus Ward 918-906-2082
Frontier Days: Tim Cannon 405-615-5921 cannonone@aol.com
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Tecumseh Rendezvous less than one mile south of downtown Tecumseh, OK.