Striking the Colors
<span>EDITOR'S NOTE: See more photos from the event in our photo galleries online at www.randolphcountyheraldtribune.com.</span>
<span>PRAIRIE DU ROCHER -- On October 10, exactly 250 years ago, British troops reached Fort de Chartres - the last French fort to surrender to the British at the end of the French and Indian War.</span>
<span>"We have journals that were kept by the soldiers that told us the exact day of when it happened, and so we decided to recreate it," said Jason Duensing, head of the planning committee for the event. </span>
<span>Because of those journals, Fort de Chartres' reenactors were able to put amazing detail into their performances. The entire event was free to the public and sponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation agency and the Randolph County Historical Society.</span>
<span>Additional support was provided by Les Amis du Fort de Chartres and the Prairie du Rocher Chamber of Commerce.</span>
<span>"It's actually quite interesting, because when the British finally got to the fort, they realized that they had forgotten their flag," said Darrell Duensing, site superintendent for Fort de Chartres. "So they took a white tablecloth and they painted the red cross of Saint George onto it, and that's what they used as their flag."</span>
<span>People from all around the region flocked to the fort to see the recreation of the surrender, along with the mock battles and other attractions.</span>
<span>"We really didn't expect the event to become this big," Duensing said. "We thought we would be lucky to get 200 reenactors, but we had probably over 475 participating."</span>
<span>In previous years, the fort and its workers have worried about the future of the fort, or if there even is one.</span>
<span>With Duensing retiring at the end of this year and no one officially taking his place, the fort's future is up in the air.</span>
<span>"My boss has called me and told me about things that I need to fix for next year, and I've told her that I won't be here, but I'll pass them on to whoever takes over," Duensing said. "But at least she's looking at the future, that means that we'll have a future and a Rendezvous next year."</span>
<span>The site even hired an assistant manager, David Schultz, who accompanies Duensing in the running of the fort.</span>
<span>"It's below our pay grade to know if anyone is taking over my position when I leave, but I believe these gentlemen will take good care of the place," Duensing said.</span>
<span>Regardless of Duensing's upcoming retirement, the fort is already planning far in advance to make sure upcoming events are better than ever.</span>
<span>"In 2021, I believe, will be the 300th year anniversary of the settling of Prairie Du Rocher, and that will be a year-long celebration," Jason Duensing said. "The fort will be doing something for it, but what that is, I couldn't tell you.</span>
<span>"But the planning committee is starting now. Six years in advance should be enough to make sure it's a great event."</span>
<span>Although the hard work of the committees is a huge part of it, the support of the public is what keeps the fort in business.</span>
"We really appreciate all the people that come out and support the fort and all the sponsors who made the event possible," Jason Duensing said. "We'll try to keep the website updated, which is www.strikingthecolors250th.com, so that everyone can see all of our sponsors."