Here's a condensed version of the history behind Fort Ouiatenon I gathered from the Tippecanoe County Historical Association...
Back in 1717 the French established Fort Ouiatenon (pronounced Wee-OT-uh-non) as a defense from the British, source of wealth, and mission to the pagan Indians. As the area was abundant in furs, French traders used to come down the Wabash river to trade their goods for the furs trapped by the Native Americans. For about 40 years the settlement there grew; however, during the French and Indian War the years the British overtook Fort Ouiatenon which didn't make the Indians too happy cause the British were a little more forceful and not as willing to trade as the French. Long story short, the Indians and whites eventually signed a peace treaty but Fort Ouiatenon never returned to what it once used to be.
The time that the Feast represents is unclear to me as while it seems to be celebrating the peaceful days of the French and Indian trading, the English are also there in all their glory. In the morning they reenact the French voyageurs coming down the Wabash. Then there is a parade (pictured later) where many dressed up folk march into an arena for the 'Opening Ceremony' where there is a brief history talk that we don't listen to every year (which may the reason of my lack of knowledge on the origin of the Feast), Indian songs, shootings, flag raising--all the pomp of a ceremony. Throughout the day there are reenactments, music shows, pow-wows, and booths where people sell food or goods such as furs, pottery and pewter, blacksmith work, leather, herbs, authentic clothing, and such like.
For about 55 years, people have gathered at Fort Ouiatenon for this festivity; some dressed up to participate, others just to watch and learn. Somehow my older sisters got connected with the children's trading blanket years ago and so several years Leah and I also worked there. Our role was just to dress up in accurate time-era apparel and trade with children who could buy a small bag of items to exchange for mini gourds, Indian headbands, toys, rag dolls, shells, furs, and other small trinkets. The child's job was to tell me a story (and he was encouraged to use his imagination) about why his good was trade-worthy for my good and I would tell him a story about my good in return. We had to play dumb if they brought up anything modern, anything that was used before the US became a nation. It was fun, but when we worked Leah and I missed out on the other events that happened during our shift which was a bummer. Also, every year we liked to add something to our costume so we went from lowly peasants to young ladies with feathers in their hats and lace trimmed clothing. My poor mother had several last minute sewing projects until we decided we could do the job for ourselves. It was still last minute.
This year was my first year in many that I didn't dress up. When it came time to get ready for the Feast I didn't know how to dress. What do 'normal' people wear? The forecast was saying a high in the fifties and thinking that the fifties can't be too bad I tried to layer but still didn't dress for the occasion. Turns out that while we were there in the morning it might have reached forty but definitely not fifty. It was windy, wet (correction: muddy with oversized puddles or miniature ponds), and quite miserable temp wise. Thankfully the food, smells, sounds, sights, ahh, everything else was just like it always is.
Here are the ones that dressed up from our group.
Edie, Isaac, and Danny. Ok, so Edie's shawl and rubber chore boots (not pictured) weren't the most authentic, but otherwise her outfit was pretty accurate. Isaac is a voyageur. Danny a white-skinned Indian :D
We got there around 8:15 and went to the pancake place for breakfast, a tradition for the Rob Lehman family which was who we joined as my parents aren't faithful goers. I just got sausages because with all the good food I'd be eating later there wasn't room for pancakes ;)
After breakfast we walked around looking at different booths. Danny and Edie traded at the children's trading blanket.
Danny went after Indian headbands.
Edie excited about her new treasure.
We got some incredibly delicious pork chops. One thing you have to understand here and now as that the Feast is literally a FEAST! That's what you do all day. You eat fattening comfort food only stopping to catch your breath.
This picture wouldn't rotate but here it is anyway. There's all those nummy seasonings rubbed on the chops. They were especially delicious this year as they warmed our hands and bellies.
There was at least one person that had no reason to dislike the cold. Rain or shine he loads on these furs every year and is known as the story teller.
We didn't watch the voyageurs race to the banks of the Wabash but we did watch the parade!
See those guys coming in the kilts? They're the bagpipers. I like them. Not the kilts, the bagpipes.
Here they are taking the corner turn very seriously.
A future bagpiper.
Isaac and Danny enjoying the parade! It was so cold that our little voyageur put on a modern sweatshirt ;)
We didn't listen in on the opening ceremony but I took a few pics so you get the general idea. This year there weren't many observers compared to other years.
This observer had a really cool hat. I wonder where you can buy one of those.
Edie was glad for some warm coffee while we halfway watched the ceremony from a distance.
When they fired the guns during the opening ceremony I jumped, hence the blurry shot.
The smoke clears...
A colorful booth of knitted things for sale.
And furs.
Okay, this was what I ate after the pork chop. Fry bread topped with apple butter, cinnamon, sugar, and powdered sugar. It tastes like an elephant ear but is in a doughnut shape. I totally could've eaten two.
Since we had plans in Illinois that afternoon we were limited to how long we could be at the Feast, which was good for my wallet and waistline. However, we did have time for a forfar bridy. If you ever go to the Feast, please, please, PLEASE! Get a forfar bridy! Most years the line is long and daunting, but we wait anyway because it's worth it. This is the stand where they are sold along with shortbread, which is also delicious, and spiced tea. Thankfully with the smaller crowd early time I got them the wait wasn't long. Secretly, this is why I went to the Feast.
Basically it's a pastry filled with a sausage mixture.
I cannot describe the delight this gave my taste buds.
We ate them while we watched the 42nd Royal Highlanders. It's actually their people who make the forfar bridy so that was a very patriotic thing to do.
This guy danced a jig over a sword. It was a very cultural experience--not your typical high school dance yet not really comparable to ballroom dancing either.
After watching this reenactment we started heading towards the car. Kim, Danny, and Edie refilled our root beer bottles that were bought at the Feast other years. At the homemade root beer place you get a deal if you bring your bottle back so Danny was sure to bring ours along. The root beer is good in a strange way. It's flat but has a stronger sassafras flavor than the typical root beer. Something that's worth trying once.
We were pretty frigid by the time we left but that was sort of a good thing because it made it easier to leave the charm of the Feast. It's funny cause it's kind of a strange event, a weekend that a bunch of adults play dress-up and camp out in the cold. Yet the fact that we do it almost every year, and that there is really good food, gives it this certain charm that makes it exciting to join in on the fun.
P.S. Is it bad if I'm already looking forward to my next forfar bridy?
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