FREMONT COUNTY, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) –
If you still haven’t made plans for this weekend, today kicked off Fremont County’s first Labor Day Rendezvous at the original site. It may be one of the few places left that when you walk in, you can take a step back in time.
Co-Booshway Dave Lehto mentioned, “Our goals are just to have a good family event for everybody, make it good for the traders. We want to invite all the people from town, anybody that is out there, you’ve got Labor Day weekend coming up, and guess what, we’re here!”
Although there is family fun to be had, that isn’t the only point of Rendezvous. This particular one also prides itself in being a teaching Rendezvous. Today, a local group of students were able to come and learn a little bit about authentic Mountain Man life.
When asked of her goals for the day, Lauren Moores, teacher at Sunrise School in Hudson stated, “I think just getting more of an authentic experience with the mountain man, along with learning about pre-1840 era of the Mountain Man.”
Since the usual 1838 Rendezvous event is held over the 4th of July weekend when school is out, today provided the opportunity for the students to come during their school day and learn about the history of the Riverton site. Another reason for holding it this weekend is that the Rendezvous in Bridger, WY at Fort Bridger was cancelled.
“It’s actually at Fort Bridger, which was built by Jim Bridger. Jim Bridger was here in 1838, he was also here in 1830, because there were actually two Rendezvous that were done here,” noted Lehto.
Lance Grabowski from Chugwater taught about custom bead and leatherwork from raw materials, paying homage to the time-period. He was the first trader at Ft. Bridger, and has made props for movies like The Mountain Men with Charlton Heston, and Tom Selleck’s hat from Quigley Down Under.” He is at this Rendezvous selling his handmade time-period gear, clothing, and accessories.
Shooting and hawk and knife competitions are Saturday, with all ages welcome, as they are always willing to teach someone new.
The Labor Day Rendezvous is held at the original site in Riverton from today through Monday. Camping is available, with no need to pre-register. The public is welcome to walk through and shop, and “Philly’s and Cream” food truck from Shoshoni is on site with milkshakes and snacks for sale.
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