Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous

From Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous Website:

One of the Midwest's premier Revolutionary War reenactments occurs Memorial Day weekend at the site of the foremost American victory throughout the frontier.

This reenactment, known as the Rendezvous, is sponsored annually by the Spirit of Vincennes, Inc. Since the late 1970s, the citizens of Vincennes, IN; the reenactors of the Northwest Territory Alliance (NWTA); and the employees of the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park (NHP) have collaborated to present this distinguished 18th century historical gathering. The event's popularity is such that it attracts 400 to 500 reenactors along with an estimated 35,000 visitors.

The majority of the activities such as the selling of merchandise and food; the demonstration of arts and crafts; colonial period entertainment; and the re-creation of Revolutionary War battles takes place upon the French Commons. The commons, quite fittingly, is located adjacent to the George Rogers Clark NHP. This park includes the Clark Memorial, a Greek style monument that stands upon the revered spot at which the British surrendered Fort Sackville.

At 10 a.m., Thurs., Feb. 25, 1779, British Lt. Gov. Henry Hamilton surrendered his garrison of 80 soldiers after a siege which lasted less than two days. The victor, Lt. Col. Clark, had led an army of 170 Americans and French-Canadians across the flooded area of present-day southern Illinois in a march to Vincennes.

The Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous is designed to bring back to life the sights, sounds, and smells of late 18th century and early 19th century Vincennes.

Everyone is invited to "get into the spirit" by visiting the annual Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous during the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Or, "rendezvous" right now by clicking onto the links for various other Rendezvous web pages. Learn more about the location, schedule, entertainment, merchants, and other exciting aspects of this springtime festival along the banks of the Wabash River.