WAPPAPELLO LAKE — All roads in Southeast Missouri will lead to the Greenville Recreation Area at Wappapello Lake on April 20 and 21 for the 45th Annual Old Greenville Black Powder Rendezvous. This event is the longest consecutive rendezvous in the state of Missouri.
Many families have made this event a tradition. There will be something for all ages to do. Step back in time to check out the traders, food, old-time children’s games and primitive lodges. Watch or participate in the competitive activities such as black powder shooting, tomahawk and knife throwing, bow shooting and fire starting.
The adult competitor entry fee for those in primitive attire is $10. For those competitors in modern dress, it is $12. In the youth competitor division ages 15 and under shoot for free with adult supervision. Guns are cap or flintlock, no in-lines.
Event hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free to the public.
This event is a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Crowley’s Ridge Blackpowder Club. For more information, contact the Wappapello Lake Management Office at 573-222-8562 or Crowley’s Ridge Blackpowder Club Bushway, Melvin Boyers at 573-300-9595.
To celebrate the total eclipse, a pre-eclipse program titled the “Sun Winks at Wappapello” will be held at 7 p.m. March 15, then again at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 16 at the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center. The program March 15 may have some optional outside activities before the program if the sun is still up. The programs on Saturday will have optional outside activities following the presentation.
The events will teach eclipse science and history, and how to safely view this rare natural phenomenon. Eugene Vale and Jo Schaper will be the instructors.