Reenactments and Living History

Mountain-man Rendezvous, World War II weekends, powwow, Wild West shows and wildlife encounters at Rockome Gardens.

Rendezvous

What is a rendezvous? In the days of Western fur trappers, a rendezvous was held at well-known landmarks or trading posts each spring. The trappers brought the furs they collected throughout the winter to trade and re-supply for the next season. Just as valuable, they met to catch up on the “news”, to party, to meet old friends and make new ones. Much like the days of the past, today’s rendezvous are about meeting and making new friends. However, most significantly, a rendezvous is about having a good time.

A rendezvous today can be small with a few camps or very large with hundreds of camps. The camp may be military, civilian, or both. Sometimes a certain period in history will be represented. Most often, a rendezvous will cover a time span from the 1750’s through the 1840’s. The first period covers the French-Indian War in colonial America. The next period is the Revolutionary War when the American colonies fought to free themselves from England’s control. Then came the War of 1812, again fighting the English that attacked the burned the capitol of Washington, D.C. The last time period is the fur trappers or mountain men western fur trade.

When visiting a rendezvous today, people often see re-enactors living in tents, teepees or sleeping under the stars. Traders sell many of the items needed for that particular way of life and sometimes things that you may be able to use at home or for play. Food is also a big part of rendezvous, and many vendors can be found at most gatherings. Demonstrations of many kinds may be seen in camp from blacksmiths, wood workers, gunsmiths, weaving, sewing, re-enactors playing period appropriate games and many more. Music is also very important to rendezvous life and can be heard everywhere in camp as it tells through song the rich history of the period.

The camps come in many shapes and sizes. The types of camps range from teepees lean-tos, wedges, wall tents and marquee tents. Marquee tents have high walls, a roof, and are most often used by traders that need a lot of room. A fly is a canvas roof with no sides often used for shade and is where a re-enactor may be found kicking back after a busy day. These are the homes used in years past by people on the move. They are also the homes of re-enactors while at camp. Each camper respects each other’s camp or “lodge” the same way one respects someone’s home. It is not polite to enter unless invited. If a tent is closed, and especially if the tent flap is tied, it is considered “locked”. It is never polite to walk into someone’s house and handle his or her belongings. The same respect should be shown when visiting a rendezvous camp. However, a person will find that most re-enactors are more than happy to explain how things are used or will even give a demonstration. And better yet, they may invite you in to tell a story or tall tale that will entertain and inform you about life in early America.

The clothes at camp are not costumes, they are real clothes. Most often they are handmade and very comfortable. The styles differ from one time period to another and from region to region. Another interesting fact about the clothing is that class or status plays a big part in what a person wears. By just looking at a re-enactors clothing, a lot can be determined about their role in the society of their time period.

Along with the clothing, the food at camp is real. Many times re-enactors are confronted with questions about the food they are preparing such as, “Is that a real fire?”, “Is that food real?” or “Are you going to eat that?” The answer is yes and there are many very good cooks in camp. Throughout camp, people are busy cooking their meals the way it was done for that specific time period. Some minor changes are made for safety reasons, but much of what is seen is a close representation of how meals were made long ago.

Many of the people you will see are armed. Guns, knives, tomahawks, war clubs and even walking sticks can be seen. Our founding fathers felt that each person was responsible for their own self defense. Even a gentleman or a minister would not be seen without at least a cane or a walking stick to protect themselves from some brigand that meant foul play. The weapons seen are real and are treated with the respect they deserve. Safety is first and foremost in all camps in order to ensure no one gets hurt or injured.

You may see re-enactors participating in – black powder shooting contests, primitive archery contests, and knife and hawk throwing contests. Please be careful when watching these contests. There are safety rules and trained range officers to make sure everyone has fun and stays safe. All these contests take skill and practice and can be fun and interesting competitions with friends.

Seminars are also a big part of many a rendezvous. They teach people about history and the people that lived it. A person that sits in on a few seminars may be surprised at what they can find out about life way back in the early years of America. The seminar and demonstration schedules can most often be found posted around camp.

This year Rockome Gardens has scheduled a number of rendezvous, some lasting three or four days. A special event being held this year is the Midwest Primitive Rendezvous. One if five national rendezvous held every year throughout the United States. The Midwest Primitive Rendezvous will be held July 12th through 19th and promises to be one of the largest in central Illinois. The rendezvous will cover the entire time line of 1750 through 1840. Daily events and competitions are scheduled throughout the week. Visit Rockome Gardens and the rendezvous to listen to tales, clap your hands and stomp your feet to the music, enjoy some tasty treats from the 1700’s and 1800’s, take some pictures, and make new friends. You are always welcome at rendezvous.

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World War II Re-Enactment

The weekend of June 28th Rockome Gardens is pleased to present a salute to perhaps our greatest generation by bringing to you a WW2 Re-enactment of the Liberation of Caen. As civilians you will be issued your French ID card to tour the occupied French town of Caen. Stroll Main Street as you see other civilians and German soldiers on their daily duties go about their business of interacting with the local populace. Be prepared to show your ID if you’re stopped by a patrol! Tour the German HQ building set up in the local schoolhouse. Stop by the local French Café and enjoy a cool beverage. Just outside the village you will find even more Axis forces campgrounds and Allied campgrounds where you can view soldiers going through their daily routines of camp life. You may view their equipment and living style in the field as the camp is open for touring the living displays there.

View the WW2 vehicles that will also be on display there and in actual use during the Battle for Caen. The battle being viewed from near the village taking place in the open country as the Allies fight to liberate the town.

Public battles will twice on Saturday and one on Sunday with small skits going on all day long inside the village with the final battle on Sunday having the allies actually liberate the town.

Watch for Partisan activity during the day inside the village and remember to keep your ID handy at all times!

Saturday night enjoy the USO show held in the Big Red barn near the encampment. 40’s style music and entertainment will be the venue for the evening with the re-enactors in period dress and uniform. Ticket for sale at the gate for the public and feel free to dress up yourself and participate in this swinging 40’s dance.

Powwow

Memorial Day Weekend 2008 at Rockome Gardens

Eight Dance Sessions over Three Days

Traders Open

10am – 7pm

Grand Entry 1pm

Intertribal 1:00 – 2:30

Intertribal 3:30 – 5:00

Grand Entry 7pm

Intertribal 7:00 – 9:00

Retire colors at 8:50

10am – 4pm

Intertribal 3:30 – 4:50

Dance out the drum

Go Home In Peace

The Purpose of a Powwow

The powwow is the Indian way of expressing visual Indianness, at first appearing to be entertainment or theatrics. However, observers will soon notice the organization, flow, pattern, respect, and graceful cooperation of participants of all ages moving together inside and outside the dance arena.

The main purpose of the powwow is to renew friendships and to make new ones. A powwow brings together not only dancers but singers at the drum, a cadre of traders and vendors selling artwork and crafts, and extended family members who enjoy the reunion of family and friends of many generations in a peaceful way.

THE DRUM … Host Southern Drum: Shawn Foye, Head Singer (Comanche)

More than just an instrument, “the drum” also refers to the head singer and the group of singers sitting at the drum who set the flow and pace of the dances from grand entry to closing song.

Often an “open drum” whereas anyone qualified can sit in, a drum can also be “closed” and only those invited may join. The head singer protects the drum, chooses songs, and allows others to sit in. He knows appropriate songs for special dances, prayers and anthems.

Any person who sits at the drum must feel humility in his heart that he is no better than any other singer.

THE DANCE ARENA … Arena Director: John Dreher (Crow)

Observers may stand, sit on lawn chairs, or sit on bleachers if provided, but should never sit on the circle of benches or boards closest to the dance area that are reserved for the dancers.

Before any activities have started, the dance area has been consecrated for the duration of the powwow for only organized activities, never a play area for children or animals to run.

The arena director sees that all dancers are comfortable, that they and the drum have safe water to drink and that special needs inside the dance area are fulfilled. He protects the dance arena from intrusion by unauthorized persons or animals.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES... Dale Besse

The master of ceremonies maintains the sanctity of the arena with the director during the powwow. He calls out special dances, makes announcements, introduces dignitaries, and keeps the observers informed as to what the dancers are doing and what is appropriate protocol for observers.

He is the friendly voice that is heard on the loud speaker when the drum is quiet.

HEAD DANCERS … Head Man Dancer: Sonny Starr and his sister Head Woman Dancer: Josee Starr (Arikara/Omaha/Ottawa)

The Head Dancers are chosen for their knowledge of various dances and the songs that accompany them. Some new to powwow dancing might not recognize the singers’ song or remember the appropriate dance for a song.

Head Dancers are first to dance every dance and they set the pace for others to follow. A lot of energy is needed to dance every dance.

Head Dancers are in shape and their knowledge of powwow etiquette and their gracious leadership abilities are an inspiration to all the other dancers.

GIVE-AWAYS AND SPECIALS

A give-away is the giving of presents to others to show humility and gratitude for being called upon to be a powwow leader in some capacity or to remember a loved one who is in danger while serving in the armed forces or a loved one who has passed away.

This is an opportunity to witness a unique and very important part of Indianness. While an interruption to the dancing, this age-old tradition demonstrates respect and recognition of others in the giving of gifts, which recipients accept with honor. The act of giving gifts shows gratitude and generosity. Being recognized with a gift is always more important than the material value of the gift itself.

At the conclusion of a give-away or special, everyone involved joins in a special dance of thanksgiving before resuming the regular powwow dancing.

BLANKET DANCE

This is the observers’ time to come into the dance arena in street clothes and dance, dropping money on the blanket to help defray gas expenses for the drums that are working so hard and that have traveled from so far away. These are fun, audience-participation dances, and everybody dances and makes a donation of coins or folding money.

TWO-STEP DANCE

This is a lady’s choice dance, an opportunity for any lady to invite a fellow, young or old, from among the dancers or the observers, to dancer with her. The Two-Step Dance is a kind of follow-the-leader dance and is always packed with fun.

BEAUTIFUL SONGS …Michael Jacobs, Cherokee, Recording Artist

Observers will be treated to the songs and conversations of Michael Jacobs during the half-hour before Grand Entries into the dance arena. Michael will have CDs of all his recordings offered for sale.

MUSEUM OF PLAINS INDIAN CLOTHING …Jim Roach

A 30-year collection of both men’s and women’s dress and dance clothing of the Northern Plains will be on display. Jim made some of the pieces himself, collected others from various artists. Jim’s artwork is incredibly beautiful, and the 12 dressed mannequins are breathtaking. This is a rare photo opportunity.

LIVING HISTORY TEPEE

Although never used by Illinois Indians, the tepee was the home of Indians of the Western Plains who rode horses and hunted buffalo for about 120 years, 1756 to the 1876 wars. Tepees were made famous in Wild West shows and western movies and are forever linked to popular concepts of Indianness.

Come inside to see beds covered with buffalo hides, chairs of laced willow sticks, brass cooking pots, firewood stacked for the fire inside. Originally made of 12 or more buffalo hides, today’s tepees are made of canvas.

To keep the tepee from getting too hot on a late spring day, cooking fires were outside during spring and summer. Watch frybread being batched and cooked over an open fire…maybe get a sample, too!

Coles County Regulators will be performing Cowboy skits and entertainments in Old Bagdad town at Rockome. They will also answer questions and display some cowboy horse riding equipment. It will be a fun time with black powder shooting and the Regulator's Wild West antics. This is a new show to Rockome Gardens this year but is anticipating great action. The shows will be in accordance with the Train Robbery and Old Baghdad Shootout.....

Come on down for a fancy fun time...HeHAAAAAAA

Wildlife Encounters featuring Bears, Poisonous Snakes and More

July 23rd thru 27th Rockome hosts Wildlife Encounters. Due to its popularity last year, this event featuring exotic animals will return. Trained handlers will give detailed narratives about the animals and answer questions. Last year the event included a bear, hawks, snakes, and others.

A group holding a live Boa Constrictor

Feeding the Black Bear

Jumping for Food

A live monkey and Baby

Sporting a Live Alligator

Smile!

Cheese!

Family!

Sisterly Love holding a Tiger Cub

ROCKOME GARDENS LIVE VIDEO

Rockome Gardens Indian Pow-Wow

Rockome School Groups

Learning From Crafters

ROCKOME TRAIN ROBBERY

featuring the Cowoys...

TIC-TAC TOE PLAYING CHICKEN

HAUNTED CAVERN

ROCKOME OUTDOOR STORE (KNIVES)

ROCKOME LIVE AT-LATL DEMONSTRATION

ROCKOME'S EDDY & LUCY THE ELK

GRAVEYARD SHIFT

TREBUCHET PUMPKIN LAUNCHING CONTEST

JOHNNY CASH - FOLSOM BLUES SINGER