Fort de Chartres Rendezvous scheduled for June 3 and 4
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The boom of cannons, the smell of campfires and a parade of colorful uniforms will transport visitors back to the 1700s on June 3 and 4 at Fort de Chartres State Historic Site's annual Rendezvous, now in its 47th year.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The largest gathering of its kind anywhere in the Midwest, Rendezvous attracts thousands of visitors to the Prairie du Rocher site during a two-day special event.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The Rendezvous features 1700s military units, traditional craft demonstrations, period music and dancing, black powder shooting events and cannon firings – all from the time when France controlled what is now Illinois.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Visitors can try their hand at throwing a tomahawk, buy handmade crafts, learn about French kitchen gardens, watch swordsmen duel, taste delicious food and more.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">This event is hosted by Les Coureurs des Bois de Fort de Chartres and sponsored by Les Amis du Fort de Chartres, with additional site support from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The Peacocks Band, The Camp Followers Band, and the Clockwork Clown will perform at various times during each day. Eighteenth century swordplay will be demonstrated by Robert Bruce Sikes, of the Black Knights Fight Group of St. Louis.</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Cannon firing demonstrations will occur on the hour at the event's firing range. There will be working oxen demonstrations throughout the event and the fort's master gardener will interpret the site's historic kitchen garden. </span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The event is open and free to the general public with special event parking for this event at $5 a car. Donations are welcomed.</span>
<ul>
<li><strong> Scheduled events:</strong></li>
</ul>
<strong>Both Days</strong>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">10 a.m. - Opening ceremony and posting of colors</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">11:30 a.m. - Lewis and Clark Fife and Drum Corps</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">12:00 p.m. - French Marine drill</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">12:30 p.m. - Great River Fife and Drum Corps</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Noon-2:30 p.m. - Knife and hawk throw</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">1:30 p.m. - Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">3:30 p.m. - 42nd Royal Highlanders Band of Pipes, Fifes and Drums</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">5:00 p.m. - Retreat Ceremony</span>
<strong>Saturday</strong>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Dance Discovery</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">11:00 a.m. - Rifle and Smoothbore competition</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Booneslick Strings</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Dance for visitors and participants</span>
<strong>Sunday</strong>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">8:00 a.m. - Catholic mass (stage) Protestant Service (food court)</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - La Guianne singers</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">11:00 a.m. - Rifle and Smoothbore competition</span>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">2:00 p.m. - Dennis Stroughmatt et l'Espirit Creole</span>