Mountain Man Rendezvous at Backus
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Visit Backus Heritage Conservation Area on September 26-27 for the Mountain Man 1838 Rendezvous and see what life was like for a buckskinner.
Beaver pelts, glass beads, natural remedies and weapons – these were just a few of the items commonly traded at a rendezvous in the 1800s. Re-enactors will take visitors back in time to the era of fur trappers and traders through high-spirited competitions and demonstrations. The encampment is open each day from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The Mountain Man Rendezvous event celebrates the pre-1840s fur trade era with participants in period clothing and camping in the Heritage Village Hin teepees and period tents. Activities includes tomahawk ('hawk') tossing and knife throwing competitions, black powder and archery contests, fire starting, trap setting and other period demonstrations. Trade blankets and period merchants will be set up with a wide variety of goods for sale.
Historically, a rendezvous grew out of a need to have a central meeting point where trading could take place. At a rendezvous the fur trappers and First Nations would bring their season’s catch to barter for items or money that was needed to get them through the next season.
For more information on the Mountain Man 1838 Rendezvous, call Robin DeCloet, Heritage Programmer/Curator at 519-586-2201, ext 228. Backus Heritage Conservation Area is located 2 kilometres north of Port Rowan.