Vendors, reenactors, and participants of all kinds have been moving into the French Commons in Vincennes this week for the annual Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous.
The Memorial Day Weekend tradition continues for the 48th year this Saturday and Sunday at the Commons as well as the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.
It was a year ago that Martin Christensen was named the park’s new superintendent; however, he didn’t officially start until later in the summer. So, this is his first time experiencing the full preparation and pageantry that is the Vincennes Rendezvous.
Park Ranger Joe Herron says Christensen has been impressed by how the veteran park staff work together to get ready for the big event. He says it’s a smooth operation, with long-time staff checking off everything from ordering firewood and straw to arranging porta johns and everything that goes into pulling off a Rendezvous.
Herron encourages anyone who’s never experienced the opening or closing ceremonies to check them out. He says it’s a unique moment each day as reenactors line up on the George Rogers Clark grounds and call in the troops, setting the tone for the day’s events.
