TIPPECANOE – Benack’s Crossing at Potawatomi Wildlife Park this weekend will not be a standard reenactment, according to J.H. Northrop, Akron, with New Sotterlee Project International Inc. NSPI Inc. is co-hosting the event in Tippecanoe with the Park. “It’s more experiential based, more opportunity for people to get hands-on experience,” Northrop said. “Participants will get more in-depth information.” Life skills from the 18th century will be demonstrated in military camps. The infantry and cavalry will engage Native Americans through prairie and woodland. Participants can shop purveyors of 18th-century goods, and there will be local food vendors on site. On Saturday, events will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Sunday events from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Potawatomi Wildlife Park, 16998 Ind. 331, Tippecanoe. Entry fee is $10 per vehicle. Northrop said they’ve been looking at the way things were done in the 18th century and why they were done. For example, there will be a horse demonstration going on that will show and explain how horses were used back then and the significance but also will show skills such as light lance work, he said. “It will be more in-depth,” he said. “The public will be encouraged to ask questions. It will be more hands-on for the public.” In the mid-18th century in Indiana, Northrop said nothing militarily really happened. So this weekend’s events will be more of “here’s what they had and what they did,” he said. “It’s more experiential. It’s not like other events in this region,” he noted. “We want people actively engaged. We encourage people to come closer to see the pieces.” Northrop said they’re working with a couple of Amish teams at the park who will be providing rides on wagons, among other activities. The Amish had an interest in coming out and doing this, he said. “We reached out to the Amish community and they’ve responded in kind,” he said. Northrop said he’s expecting about 50 re-enactors to be out at the event this weekend. They will be very knowledgeable with what is going on at the event, he said. Another example of the experts that will be out there include a man who will demonstrate the early styles of fishing. The Potawatomi Wildlife Park’s website is http://www.getintonature.com/ For more information, call 574-498-6550 or email benackscrossing@gmail.com
