A hot time at the 43rd Prairie Villa Rendezvous
Submitted by admin on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 11:25
Temperatures reaching the mid to high 90s this past weekend couldn’t deter big crowds at the 43rd Annual Prairie Villa Rendezvous June 14-17 on St. Feriole Island. Above, James Kottka of Rice Lake, Wis., enjoys sipping on a cool drink from a mug created by Todd Strupp of Antlered Mugworks of Rice Lake. The mugs are handcrafted from Texas Longhorn horns and whitetail deer antlers for the handles. Designs depicting wildlife and other interesting outdoor scenes are burned into the mugs and sealed. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)
You never know who or what you might encounter at the Prairie Villa Rendezvous, which recreates life as it was in the 1840s when Prairie du Chien was the hub of fur trading. The rendezvous is the largest such re-enactment in the Midwest. The entire family can enjoy the black powder shoot, children’s games, women’s games, the primitive bow shoot, the flint and steel competition and the knife and hawk throw for men, women and children.
Ty Koeller of McGregor (left) is all smiles as he defeats Layia Koeller in this particular tug of war match at the Prairie Villa Rendezvous Friday morning.
Fluteman Dan, also known as Dan Nolan of Hanover, Ill., entertains passersby by playing haunting melodies on his hammered dulcimer. Fluteman also enjoys playing Native American flutes and Irish penny whistles.
Children gather ‘round to learn a thing or two from Dewey Roll of Robin’s Blacksmithing of Leland, Iowa. Dewey has been blacksmithing for about 25 years and is a jack of all trades as he fashions unique gifts and does custom fabrication and welding.
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