Forever part of the Rendezvous family
Buckskinner Bob Zuidema (left) browses some of the wares at the 2014 Prairie Villa Rendezvous.
Josie Kramer takes her turn at “nails” while Karly Kramer looks on at the Rendezvous last year. (Courier Press file photos)
Lindsey Nolan and Madeline Fisher, of Prairie du Chien, enjoy a unique tug of war Friday afternoon. The girls were evenly matched, with each winning about half the time.
By Addison Mumm
The Rendezvous may bring vendors to the flea market side, but the buckskinners side was the origin of the Prairie Villa Rendezvous. Celebrating the trades between settlers and Native Americans, the Rendezvous originated in 1976, in McGregor, Iowa, where men with similar interests–and only men–drank beer around the fire and enjoyed conversing. The buckskinners, and other campers who dress the part at the Rendezvous, celebrate pre-1840s living with reenactments, sports such as shooting or throwing, and dressing as they did then.
When Ray Mitchell bought his first muzzle loader at a La Crosse gun show, he had no idea how the firearm worked. He and his wife Lorraine were encouraged to join a club, based out of Prairie du Chien, to learn how to use the firearm. After paying their dues, two years later they received a postcard inviting them to a meeting and to make their next payment. The postcard invited them to bring their rifles and hawks to the Big River Long Rifles club meeting. Lorraine’s first reaction was “What’s a hawk?” Both Lorraine and Ray instantly thought of the poultry hawk.
After attending the meeting, Lorraine refused to attend anymore. She was the only woman there.
After some persuasion Lorraine went to the next meeting. She then fell in love with throwing tomahawks competitively, and Ray started shooting competitively as well. Another woman attended that meeting, and from then on, women were welcomed and encouraged to join the Big River Long Rifles club. The club meetings consisted of shooting firearms and throwing knives or tomahawks.
Lorraine and Ray traveled from rendezvous to rendezvous competing, both shooting and throwing. They attended many rendezvous in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and even one in Cody, Wyo. They won or made all of their rendezvous belongings they carried to each event. Ray actually built his own rifle.
“After all the visitors left, everyone would join around a campfire and talk. Then we would have a street dance,” said Lorraine about her Rendezvous memories.
Julie Warrington, 17-year Prairie Villa Rendezvous participant, also appreciates the good times that have occurred at the Rendezvous.
Julie started attending the Rendezvous for the food and then took part in vending with her own stand.
“I was just starting my bakery and I wanted to sell at the Rendezvous, but the Jaycees’ side [flea market portion of the Rendezvous] was full. So they said I could dress up and sell on the buckskinners side,” remembered Julie. “There is such a sense of community [on the buckskinners side], we even have neighbors!”
Julie stated, even though she works the entire event cooking food, she deems Rendezvous weekend a vacation. She said being outside makes the work easier and it is always great talking to all the people.
“Walk around the encampment and look around. The people have interesting things to say. If they have things sitting out, they want you to ask about them,” advised Julie. “It’s also a great place to people watch! There is such a variety of people.”
Julie will be selling food this year as well. Some of her menu items include fry bread and Indian tacos.
Ray, Lorraine and Julie encourage the community to come out to the Rendezvous June 18-21. The list of events can be obtained at the registration office. Some events to see are a wedding, a baptism, gun shooting, knife and hawk throwing, and the blacksmith at work. Visitors are welcome to participate in events. However, some events are only for preregistered campers.
“[The Rendezvous is] a really great event for historical value, entertainment, talking to people and, of course, the food,” said Julie. “It gives you insight into Prairie du Chien’s history that books and old time movies can’t portray.”
Lorraine also mentioned the Rendezvous has become much more family friendly over the years, and remains to be one of the few free events in Prairie du Chien.
“People think they know what’s going to be at the Rendezvous, but it’s always different,” added Julie. “It has evolved from 20 years ago.”
