Quapaw Creek Rendezvous

For the folks that want to see what a rendezvous or living history weekend is all about, go to Talking-Bear.com and look through all of his photos in his photo gallery. We also have photos of last year's event, here.

Since this year is going to be a pre-1890 rendezvous there will be more than just the mountain man camps. There will be indian camps, cowboy camps, civil war camps, buffalo hunters, buffalo soldiers, and other yahoos from the old west.

There will be demonstrations going on all day until 4pm such as tomahawk and knife throwing, fire starting skills, candle making, flint napping, beading, hat making, black smithing, and many games for the kids. The rendezvous will be open to the public daily from 10am - 4pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. School days will be 10am - 4pm. Admission will be $5 for everyone over 15 years old.

There will be competition events throughout the rendezvous such as fire starting, hawk and knife, rifle and pistol, bow and arrow, and skillet toss, which "all the women seem to love".

Those folks that would like to demonstrate or help out would be greatly appreciated. Also, those who would just like to camp and visit without being disturbed by the public and school kids, there will be an area roped off from the public and guarded by a dog soldier to make sure they stay away from the camps. When is the last time you had that option?

As with all rendezvous there will be plenty of traders and being a pre-1890 rendezvous there will be more of a variety of goods and wares to choose from. Also there will be blanket traders. There will be no fee for blanket traders and Saturday we will have a pre-1890 "garage sale". So that should be a fun day for all. After the public leaves the rendezvous really kicks into gear with a large bon fire down at traders row. This will be open to all campers pre-1890 to modern day dressed folks who want to join in. There will also be a bon fire in the primitive camping area. We encourage period camping, but for those folks that would just like to come in and visit and join in the fun, there are modern hook ups for the "tin tee pees" on top of the hill and also for modern tents. The primitive camps will be in a nice wooded area with all weather gravel roads throughout the camp. Also, there are hot showers located at the entrance and plenty of fire wood and water on tap, "not from a buffalo", and plenty of ice.

Closing ceremony will be Saturday night at 7pm with a pot luck supper. For those that want to rest up on Sunday will be fine. There will be a survivor party on Sunday night, which is always fun. Oh yeah, and we can't forget that the blushing turtle will be there!!!

For more information contact:

Tony Ward - 918-866-2543 Sparks America Campground

Badger Henry - 806-676-3639
LiL Grizz - 870-839-5591