BARAGA - In the early part of the 19th century, people known variously as fur trappers and mountain men used to get together occasionally to trade items and socialize at "rendezvous," and there are some people at the beginning of the 21st century who think that tradition is something worth preserving.
    Sandra Henkel, president of the Upper Peninsula Muzzleloaders Association in Baraga, said the group conducted its 33rd Pre-1830s Rendezvous beginning Thursday and concluding today at the Ottawa Sportsmen's Club on M-38.
    Henkel said the UPMA rendezvous began in 1976 during a particular national celebration.
    "It was partly in response to the (American) Bicentennial," she said.
    Henkel said in the early days, the rendezvous were conducted at various sportsmen's clubs around the U.P. Now, the sites go back and forth between Baraga and Menomonee, Wis.
    Last year, Henkel said there were 35 campsites and about 100 participants at the rendezvous, also conducted at Baraga.
    "We have people come from all over the upper Midwest," she said.
    The rendezvous is done in pre-1830s style in order to give the event a particular feel and look, Henkel said.
    "That's pre-blue jeans and pre-tennis shoes," she said.
    Although the public is invited to attend the rendezvous, Henkel said participants are dressed in period clothing, and use period equipment, tools and weapons.
    Some of the events participants took part in include tomahawk, knife and 8-pound hammer throwing, long bow shooting and for the women, frying pan toss. Of course, there were events in keeping with the club's name.
    "All day Saturday is muzzleloading (long gun) and pistol shooting," she said.
    One of the shooting events was the Woods Walk, which Henkel said involves walking a course in a woodlot where metal targets in the shapes of animals are set up.
    "You find specific things to shoot at or throw at," she said.
    For the shooting events, Henkel said shooters use either black powder or a synthetic alternative, but whichever accelerant is used, it puts up quite a cloud of smoke, which can actually be beneficial.
    "It keeps the mosquitoes away," she said.
    One of the more popular competitions is fire starting, which Henkel said involves the use of flint and steel to get sparks to get a fire going.
    Some people can start a fire immediately, but others take quite a bit longer.
    "You have to know how to use that flint and steel," she said.
    For all the competitions, Henkel said there are prizes, including ribbons, medals, and a special trophy.
    "The high score in each event gets a trophy to take home and bring back," she said. "It's kind of a nice tradition to have that carried around."
    Henkel said there were events for children at the rendezvous, but they didn't involve electronics or any current high technology.
    "These are pre-1830s games," she said.
    Many children spent time before the rendezvous practicing the tomahawk-throwing competition, which is very popular.
    "They love it," she said.
    Although there were no particular events for them, Henkel said there were some Native Americans taking part in the rendezvous, and they also were dressed period-specific.
    "Everybody dresses in pre-1830s garb," she said.
    Henkel said although there is no official guide to explain the various aspects of the rendezvous to visitors, most participants are glad to tell what they know about the period.
    "Everybody knows enough history so anybody who asks (may get) a lecture," she said. "There's always somebody there to answer questions."
    Henkel said the Upper Peninsula Muzzle Loaders Association Pre-1830s Rendezvous has been taking place continuously for 33 years because of the dedication of the association members and because people enjoy attending it.
    "It's not a large group, but it's a solid core group," she said. "(The rendezvous is) a lot of fun."