by Laura Katauskas | Staff Reporter
See first hand how fur traders traveled the canal, right in the community’s backyard, some hundreds of years ago.
Live re-enactors will portray life during the 18th century French fur trade era, in what has become one of Will County’s Forest Preserve District oldest event.
Come learn through hands-on activities how that time period compares to modern life at the 34th annual “Island Rendezvous” June 10 in Romeoville. The free event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E. 135th St. (Romeo Road) in Romeoville.
The event will feature a petting zoo, archery instruction and an activity that teaches you how to start a fire with nothing but wood. Organizers report children will be able to test themselves on the skills needed to be fur traders. And there will be a historic camp and a modern camp for kids to play in so they can see the contrast between the 1700s and the modern era.
The Rendezvous event has been updated in recent years to feature more hands-on activities, said Chris Gutmann, facility supervisor for Isle a la Cache.
“The emphasis is on family-oriented interactive stations,” Gutmann said. “Every year we add a new element or two to keep the event fresh. We want people to enjoy themselves, have fun, try something a little different and learn something along the way.”
Past Island Rendezvous programs were more about watching, but the revamped program is more about participating.
“New this year will be a station that allows visitors to try their hand at building a survival shelter out of sticks,” Gutmann said. “Also, when visitors are ready to cool off in the air conditioned museum, there is the new interactive animal tracks table exhibit for them to try.”
The “Make Tracks” table encourages children to make animal tracks in putty with molds of animal paw prints. The 15 animals highlighted in the exhibit are those that were in “Illinois Country” back in the 1700s. The table also includes information on the beaver, which was the most important creature in the French fur trade era because beaver pelts were prized above all others at the time.
Returning this year will be Redhawk’s longhouse, a replica longhouse that will represent the type of structure Native Americans might have lived in at the time. And a mainstay at the rendezvous, are the Forest Preserve’s Volunteer Brigade of re-enactors who are on hand with living history demonstrations derived from the voyageur era including bread baking, lead ball molding, a presentation of period firearms, a fashion show and a farming demonstration.
Willowbrook Wildlife Center will present two birds of prey programs in the Traders Cabin. Seating is limited. Tickets will be available at the museum front desk on the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
Crafts, games, live music and storytellers will top off the celebration. All of the activities will take place at Isle a la Cache, which is located on a small island in the Des Plaines River. Indoor facilities are accessible and outdoor activities will take place on level paths or on natural surfaces across uneven terrain.
Based on similar events the district hosts, the event, depending on the weather, could see 800 to 1,000 people at this year’s Island Rendezvous.
Island Rendezvous is one of the longest-running programs that the Forest Preserve District of Will County offers, beginning in 1984, it has been held every year since.