ROCHESTER – The excitement and adventure of Frontier Indiana comes alive at the 48th annual Trail of Courage Living History Saturday and Sunday in Rochester.
Since 1976, it has been a place where history is depicted, where you trace the footsteps of history. Over 1,000 people in historic outfits participate, according to a provided news release.
Frontier Indiana comes alive with foods cooked over wood fires, period music and dance, traditional crafts and historic camps and trading, canoe rides on the river and much more. It is produced by the Fulton County Historical Society. This event combines genealogy of the Potawatomi Indiana and the settlers who lived in Fulton County and northern Indiana in the early 1880s with rendezvous events, period music and dance on two stages, canoe rides on the Tippecanoe River.
The Trail of Courage will be held at FCHS grounds 4 miles north of Rochester on U.S. 31 and Tippecanoe River. Admission is $10 adults, $5 for children (6 through 11) and free for ages 5 and under. Hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join In The Indian Dances
The public is invited to join in the Indian dances from 2 to 3 p.m., which are held in an arena outlined by teepees. The drum will be in the TBA Drum - and George Fodfrey, Athens, Ill., will be the emcee.
The Trail of Courage includes historic encampments representing the French and Indian War, Voyageurs, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Western fur trade, Plains Indians teepees and Woodland Indian wigwams. A recreated Miami village includes wigwams and lifeways demonstrations, such as making cattail mats.
Another recreation is of Chippeway Village, which had the first trading post, post office and village in Fulton County in 1832. Food purveyors and traditional craftsment set up in wooden booths. Craftsmen also sell pre1840 trade goods from blankets and in historic merchant tents, offering a variety of items from clothing and jewelry to knives and candles.
Fun Frontier Activities For All
Canoe rides, muzzle-loading shooting and tomahawk throwing contests and a Mountain Man Tug of War add to the frontier activities. Local Girl Scouts offer candle dipping to all children.
Two stages from frontier music and dance present programs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Sunday. Since the early 1980s FCHS has received grants from the Indiana Arts Commission/National Endowment for the Arts to help pay for musicians and dancers. This year they include River Valle Colonials Fife & Drum Corp., Aztec dancers, Danny Russel as Daniel Boone, Mark and Liza Woolever, Paul Mitchell; Anderson Marching Highlanders, Indian dancers.
This year’s grant is for $3,800, which is about half of the approximately $8,500 cost of the performers. Donations to match the grant are required by the Indiana Arts Commission and can be mailed to FCHS, 37 E. 75 N, Rochester, IN 46975.
Many volunteers provide programs such as Margo Moore’s dog pulling travois and Mark and Molly Groupp - bagpipes.
Both Catholic and Protestant worship services are held at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Father Denny Kinderman, Chicago, has celebrated Mass for over 10 years at Hillside Amphitheater. Kevin Kennedy, Rochester, will lead the Protestant service at the Chippeaway Village stage.