The Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous will return to French Commons this weekend for it’s 49th installment with this year’s event focusing in part on the nation’s 250th anniversary and how residents of Vincennes experienced the Revolutionary War period.
Organizers say this year’s theme looks at what French settlers and Native Americans living in Vincennes were experiencing as news of the Declaration of Independence spread through the region. They noted that French residents in Vincennes had already lived under multiple governments, including France, Canada, and Britain, as control of the territory shifted over time.
The annual event includes battle reenactments, period cooking, music, games, arts and crafts, and demonstrations at French Commons along the Wabash River. Battle reenactments are scheduled twice daily during the weekend.
The rendezvous opens at 9 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, May 23, and runs until 6 p.m. Sunday’s hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Organizers say reenactors travel to Vincennes from around an eight-state region, including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Kentucky. Many remain in period clothing and stay in encampments on the grounds throughout the weekend.
The event is also drawing attention from outside media organizations.
A PBS-affiliated program called “Finding Festivals” filmed at last year’s rendezvous for an episode connected to the country’s 250th anniversary. Organizers say the episode will premiere during Summer on Main Street on June 26 and continue playing throughout the evening.
Organizers also say a German television crew plans to attend this year’s rendezvous and film battle reenactments for a program in Europe. According to organizers, the production will include a reporter embedded with one of the reenactment units during a battle sequence.
In addition to daytime activities, the rendezvous also includes evening events at the Vincennes State Historic Sites. Those events include candlelight tours of Grouseland and other historic buildings, along with music performances Saturday evening.
This year’s event also includes a town crier role carried out by Tom Gillingham. Organizers say the largely microphone-free atmosphere across most of the grounds allows the town crier to serve as a live source of announcements and information throughout the weekend.
The rendezvous is organized year-round through volunteer committees focused on areas including entertainment, battlefield planning, attendance, and preparation of the grounds. Organizers say volunteers continue to be needed and can contact the organization through the Spirit of Vincennes website or the local visitors bureau.
Adult admission is $12 per day at the gate, while admission for children ages 6 through 12 is $2. Buttons valid for both days cost $15. Advance buttons are available for $12 at the Knox/Vincennes Visitor’s Bureau and Vincennes-area financial institutions beginning May 1. Online purchases are available through an ON Tap link or at the Spirit of Vincennes website.
