CARLSBORG — Buckskins, calico, bonnets and skirts are in fashion again this weekend at the Green River Mountain Men’s annual Black Powder Rendezvous, nestled in the foothills between Carlsborg and the Olympic Mountains.
The final day of the rendezvous is today at the Peninsula Long Rifles camp off Slab Camp Road south of Carlsborg.
The event, which began Friday, takes visitors back in time with a re-enactment of an 1830s-era Northwest fur trading station.
Participants clad in furs, buckskins and dresses with aprons camp in canvas tents while traders hawk their wares from canvas tents, wooden trailers and blankets spread under trees.
There is no charge for entry.
Today’s activities open at 8 a.m. with an old-time church service, the Buckskin Church, at the Ram’s Lodge.
Those who wish to take part in black powder shooting competitions must register at a shooter’s meeting at 9 a.m. at the registration shelter.
The entry fee for shooting competitions is $20 per person for shooters 13 and older.
Visitors can register at the site for lessons in how to shoot black powder rifles.
Individual lessons are $1 per shot at two black powder clinics, scheduled at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the shooting range.
Free seminars
Four free seminars will be offered today.
At noon, the art of wool will be featured with demonstrations on carding and weaving.
That will be followed by a 12:30 p.m. flint and steel demonstration.
For those feeling a little more adventurous, demonstrations on the use of black powder and black powder rifles will be held at 2 p.m., and knife and tomahawk throwing, known as “Knife and Hawk,” will be at 2:30 p.m.
A traders’ row of dusty merchant tents and blankets sells pioneer-style clothing and equipment for participants or souvenirs for visitors who find they must have their own treasures of the Old West.
“Pee-wee activities” will be available free for children 12 and younger from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Activities include youth archery, a pee-wee shoot and a hay scramble.
A vendor will sell pulled pork sandwiches, and bottled water will be available for sale.
Slab Camp Road is just off Lost Mountain Road.
Directional signs will be placed along the way.
The Green River Mountain Men is a nonprofit organization of men and women dedicated to educating the community about the pre-1840s fur trade era.
Peninsula Long Rifles is a 44-year old club dedicated to the art of primitive shooting.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
