Learn How Early U.P. Settlers Lived During 1830s Rendezvous Weekend at Baraga State Park

Visitors to Baraga State Park can immerse themselves in the era of buckskin clothes, muzzleloaders and long bows during the annual 1830s Rendezvous Weekend set for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 12-13, at the park, which is located at 1300 US-41 South in Baraga in Baraga County.

Spend the weekend learning how early settlers to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula coped with the challenges of their day-to-day existence through live demonstrations and classes offered by members of the Upper Peninsula Muzzle Loaders Association. Start the weekend off by learning about traditional long bow archery during a presentation set for 7 p.m. Friday, or bring along a musical instrument and join in a traditional campfire sing-a-long planned for 9 p.m.

Participants 10 years old and older can start off Saturday by trying their hand at tomahawk tossing during the Tomahawk Hurling 101 classes taking place from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Later, take those newly-learned skills to the friendly Tomahawk Throwing Competition set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Prizes will be awarded in the Men’s Women’s, Boys’, and Girls’ categories.

Children can set aside their video games for a while and discover old-fashioned games like hoops and sticks, beanbag toss, birch bolo, and walking on stilts from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, while women can sharpen their aim during the Frying Pan Throwing Contest starting at 10 a.m.

Gather for a lesson on 1830s apparel from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday morning, and talk with historical re-enactors about the types of period clothing and the lifestyle of the people who wore them.

Learn how to start a fire using flint and steel during the Flint & Steel Fire Building 101 class at 1 p.m. Try making natural rope from 2 to 3 p.m., and learn how early settlers made buckskin clothing and accessories from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

For more details on the weekend, call the park at 906-353-6558.

Participants do not need to be registered campers to take part in the program. Those who would like to stay at the park can make reservations by calling 1-800-447-2757 or by visiting www.midnrreservations.com.

The 1830s Rendezvous is free of charge; however, a Recreation Passport is required for entry into Baraga State Park. The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-241-7275.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.