A re-enactor for the 37th annual Rendezvous on the River brings his equipment and gear on a barge Monday that will take him over to Blennerhassett Island. The event, which runs through Saturday, recreates the frontier life of area fur traders from the 18th and 19th centuries. (Photo provided)

Staff Report

PARKERSBURG — Frontier life from the 18th and 19th centuries will be highlighted when the 37th annual Rendezvous on the River is held on Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park today through Saturday.

The Rendezvous, put on by the West Virginia Muzzleloaders Association and Blennerhassett Island, recreates the frontier life of the 18th and 19th centuries through authentic camps, demonstrations and period costumes.

Re-enactors were going over to the island on Monday to get their camps ready to receive visitors starting today.

“Frontier history will come alive on Blennerhassett Island with a primitive encampment recreating the old time rendezvous of the pre-1840 fur trade era,” a press release from the park stated. “Mountain men donned in authentically reproduced buckskins and other period clothing will shoulder muskets, cook over open fires, and sleep in canvas tents, live in tepees or other primitive shelters.

Re-enactors will be participating in the 37th annual Rendezvous on the River at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park today through Saturday. They will be recreating the frontier life of the 18th and 19th centuries through authentic camps, demonstrations and period costumes. (File Photo)

“Family camp life, traditional craft work and traders will engage in activities that would have been typical to the early frontiersman. There will be tomahawk and knife throwing demonstrations.”

The re-enactors cover the period before 1840 and go back to the Revolutionary War period. Rendezvous participants can be anything pre-1840s, according to the press release.

There is no charge for visits to the Rendezvous camp and demonstrations while on the Island.

Visitors can reach the island by sternwheeler which will require paid tickets for. The boat tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for kids 3-12 and free for kids 3 and under. Boats will leave Point Park at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day.

Tickets are available at the Blennerhassett Museum at Second and Juliana streets in downtown Parkersburg. With road work going on around the museum, First Street, near the flood wall, will be open for people to walk or drive to Point Park.

Officials recommend people go to the Island no later than 2 p.m. to allow ample time to visit the campsites. Boats depart the Island on the half-hour. The last boat leaves the Island at 4:30 p.m.

“We would like to share with you a rare glimpse into the past as frontiersmen and mountain men and women from across the nation gather at this special meeting place to observe how things were done over 150 years ago,” the press release said. “Re-enactors will be available to answer your questions as you take travel back in time.”

While on the island, visitors can purchase tickets to tour the Blennerhassett Mansion, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, rent bikes, make use of picnic facilities, browse in the island gift shop, and have lunch at the snack stand.

The mansion tour is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12; wagon rides are $13 for adults and $10 for kids ages 3-12. The admission at the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History in downtown Parkersburg is $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 3-12;

The island is open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

For more information contact the Park Office at 304-420-4800.