The Big Island Rendezvous announces the 25th Rendezvous print by artist Eloise Adams will be available for the public to view at the Rendezvous, Oct. 1 and 2 at Bancroft Bay Park.

The proceeds from the sale of prints go toward helping to fund the two student days. Students from Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa come to learn about their own heritage from special programs and demonstrations arranged for them.

Pictured in the center is a historic gathering. Not everyone could get to the trading post for supplies in the fall. So mountain men, trappers and settlers would “rendezvous” at a certain site and trade with each other. The trading post would send a wagon of trade goods to the “rendezvous” site so people could get their coffee and other supplies. It was a “happy time.” They were facing a winter; an isolated time when they would spend those long months alone. So the rendezvous was a time to celebrate being together before the long winter. It was a time when they would share stories, make music and share food and just enjoy one another.

Special guests at this years event will be Abraham and Mary Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin and his wife, Dorothy.

There will be black-powder events, the “hawk” throw, candle-making, display of artifacts from the movie, “Dances with Wolves” and a special trapping exhibit.

Hundreds of volunteers make this event possible. In the lower left hand corner of the print, pictured is Tom Lehto. We remember Tom for his dedication to REACT and the Rendevzous. Also shown is Carol Bublitz who has driven shuttle cars for many years.

The prints are all numbered and artist signed. A limited number are hand painted. They are available at the event at the Adam’s Originals tent.