Old Greenville Rendezvous set for this weekend

Rain or shine, the 43rd annual Old Greenville Rendezvous will be Saturday and Sunday at the Old Greenville Recreation area. Admission is free.

The longest consecutively running rendezvous will open at 9 a.m. and close at dark Saturday, and reopen at 9 a.m. Sunday and close at 3 p.m. The event is done in partnership with Crowley’s Ridge Blackpowder Club and the Wappapello Lake U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers.

Wappapello Lake Park Ranger Andrew Jefferson said, “There’ll be the largest setup of traders. Plus, there’s going to be shooting competitions, black powder and rifle shooting competitions for both male and female categories both Saturday and Sunday.”

Jefferson said, organizers are “expecting 4-6,000 people for the event and it mainly depends upon the weather. Attendance-wise Saturday’s event always is much larger than Sunday. We’re hoping with good weather on Saturday, we’re looking at possibly about 4-5,000 people Saturday and that’s been on the conservative side.”

Visitors will be taken back in time to the pre-1840s era. Demonstrators will make candles and rope, practice flint knapping, wood carving and more. Primitive traders will be showcasing their wares such as jewelry, guns, maps, clothing, shoes, boots, frock coats, leather goods, bows, camp gear and other goods.

There will be plenty of authentic foods available like kettle corn and barbecue, Jefferson said.

Saturday there will be music played from noon to 3 p.m. Grace Hicks will begin playing at noon. Little Creek will start at 1 p.m. and at 2 p.m. Buzzard Run will entertain.

Phillips Exotic Animals petting zoo will be on site both days.

Little Brushy Church will provide a shuttle service from the parking area to the event area for those who can’t walk.

According to Jefferson, “rain is a tradition. It rains at least one of the two days, but Saturday is supposed to be a real nice weather in the low 80s. Sunday, there’s a 30% chance to rain but again, this is the rendezvous and if it wouldn’t rain one day, it wouldn’t be the same. We’ll go on, rain or no rain. The best thing, this is free. It doesn’t cost you anything.”

There will be old time games for children Saturday and Sunday.

“Candy cannon is a tube where they push candy down in it. They also have gunpowder where they ignite it; it explodes and candy flies into the air. A lot of kids really enjoy that,” Jefferson said.

Jefferson said, “We want people to be safe and be careful as they’re driving to the event. Buckle up, of course, and once you get to the event be safe. That’s the bottom line, being careful.”

For more information, contact Jefferson at 573-222-8562 or go online to the lake’s Facebook page.

Greenville Recreation Area is located on the northern end of Wappapello Lake Project on the banks of the St. Francis River off Highway 67.