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The Great Rendezvous

July 11 to 13, 2025

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hundreds of re-enactors from across North America converge to re-create the annual summer gathering held at Fort William over 200 years ago when it was the inland headquarters of the North West Company! The historic re-enactment will include artisan workshops and demonstrations, guest speakers, a grand canoe arrival, contests, and more.

Activities

Explore historic Fort William

Explore the historic site and visit the Anishinaabe Encampment, Apothecary, Great Hall, Wintering House, Trades Square, and Dairy, and visit with the farm animals.

Guided Tours

English tours: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

French tours: 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Take a guided tour of Fort William led by one of its inhabitants. Guided tours last approximately 1.5 hours.

Skills of the Anishinaabe

Daily, 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Experience how the Anishinaabe live in harmony with Nimaamaa Aki (Mother Earth). Learn about the transition and melding of different tools and technologies through trade.

Food Samples

Sample and learn about historic fur trade foods.

  • Artisan bread

Baggataway (Lacrosse)

Test your skill at Canada’s National summer sport! 

Did you know? Lacrosse originated as a sacred sport played by First Nations people for spiritual, ceremonial, and diplomatic purposes.

Paddle a Canoe

Explore the historic Kaministiquia River by canoe while voyageurs entertain you with songs and stories.

Axe Throwing

Ages 12+

Daily, 12 to 12:30 p.m.

Try your hand at throwing a trade axe! Voyageurs and tradesmen spend their leisure time trying to best one another in this game of precision and skill.

Fire a Musket

Ages 12+

Daily, 3 to 3:30 p.m.

Fire a fur trade era musket! Firearms were an important trade item in 1815. Learn the skills you’ll need to use a fur trade era musket to hunt for your food.

Scavenger Hunt

Explore the historic site to unravel riddles and test your fur trader knowledge. 

Artisan Demonstrations

Building a Birch Bark Canoe

Guided by Indigenous knowledge and technologies, our skilled canoe builder will construct a traditional birch bark canoe, showcasing the enduring legacy of Indigenous craftsmanship. The finished canoe will be launched at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday during the Grand Departure.

Dress in a Day

Friday only

Our costuming team will make a dress in one (1) day using only 19th century tools and construction methods.

Sheep Shearing

Watch skilled shearers demonstrate traditional sheep shearing techniques. (Weather dependent)

Churn & Learn

Witness the age-old tradition of turning fresh cream into golden butter.

Contests

Boucher’s Foot Race

Friday at 3 p.m.

Voyageurs are competitive and always looking to prove who’s the strongest, fastest and most skilled in their brigade – what better to decide than through a classic foot race? Participants will sprint along our obstacle course, and the first one to return will be crowned the winner.

Axe Throwing

Ages 12+

Saturday at 3 p.m.

Try your hand at throwing a trade axe! Voyageurs and tradesmen spend their leisure time trying to best one another in this game of precision and skill.

Napawagan (Bone and Pin Game)

Sunday at 3 p.m.

This game of Indigenous origins will test your hand-eye coordination. The rules of the contest have been developed based on historical sources and references.

Cooking Tripod Assembly

Date and time coming soon

Showcase your mastery of knots and ingenuity to assemble a stable tripod structure as quickly as possible. Though time is of the essence, the tripod must support the weight of a fully loaded cauldron. Participants will be provided with three poles, a length of rope, and one metal hook to hang the cauldron.

Historical Re-enactments

Grand Arrival

Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Witness the spectacle of many canoes arriving, echoing a time when these watercraft were essential to the exploration of our heritage river systems.

Grand Departure

Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Send off the voyageurs as they embark on their journey back to Montreal headquarters and the wintering posts.

Beyond the Pelt: Speaker Series

Dr. Carolyn Podruchny

Dr. Carolyn Podruchny’s lecture will explore the material, cultural, and deep relationships forged between two cultures, and how they came together to create Métis communities. Dr. Podruchny is a history professor at University of York and author of Making the Voyageur World: Travelers and Traders in the North American Fur Trade.

Workshops

Mastering the Ropes

Using historical ropes, unravel the art of tying knots crucial for sailing, exploration, and survival during the 19th century. Maximum 15 participant spots available.

A Letter to Remember

Learn the art of letter writing using India ink, dip pens, and fine paper. Participants will craft their unique letter, ready to send to a friend or family member, and seal it with a wax stamp for an extra personal touch. Maximum 15 participant spots available.

Food and Beverages

Cantine Restaurant

Visitor Information

Admission Fees

  • Adults $12
  • Seniors (60+) $10
  • Students (13+ with student ID) $10
  • Youth (6 to 12) $10
  • Children (5 & under) Free
  • Indigenous Persons Free
  • Military Personnel & Veterans (with CFOne card or VSC ) Free
  • Support Person (with PAL Card) Free

    The Personal Attendant for Leisure (PAL) Card is an identification card, which is issued to a person who has a disability. It allows the support person to enter a Thunder Bay recreation facility for free. A support person can be a friend, family member or a paid worker.

Annual Season Pass

  • Season Pass $20 per person

    + HST

The season pass provides you with year-round admission to the Fort William historic site and admission to the following Fort William Historical Park events: The Great Rendezvous, Halloween Hoot, New Year’s Eve Family Frolic, and Voyageurs Winter Carnival. Admission to Canada Day, Anishinaabe Keeshigun and Celtic Day is free for all visitors. The season pass does not include admission to the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, campground, and third-party events.

What to Bring

Weather appropriate clothing: This is an all weather program and takes place indoors and outdoors.

Cash: There are no ATMs available on site.

Getting Here

Car: Fort William Historical Park is located at 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay. Parking is free.

Bicycle: Cyclists are welcome. Bike racks are available to use free of charge.

Thunder Bay Transit: Fort William Historical Park is accessible by the 4 Neebing bus route. Please visit the City of Thunder Bay Transit website for specific bus route information.

Boats & River Access: Boats cannot dock at events. There is no admissions entrance via the Kaministiquia River.

RVs: Camping is permitted at our campground with a reservation. RVs are not permitted in the parking lot for overnight stays.