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Great Rendezvous
Participant Registration

Event Information

Fort William Historical Park (FWHP) invites re-enactors to participate in the Park’s annual Great Rendezvous Historical Re-enactment.

About the event

From 1803-1821, Fort William was the inland headquarters of the North West Company, the world’s largest fur trading enterprise with posts reaching across North America. Fort William served as the transhipment point for goods and supplies coming from Montreal and furs coming from the western trading posts. Each summer, French and Métis voyageurs, Scottish businessmen, Indigenous Peoples, and others from places around the world gathered at Fort William for the Great Rendezvous to conduct business, share news and renew friendships.

Location

Fort William Historical Park, 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Public Event Dates and Times

  • Friday, July 11, 2025, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 12, 2025, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 13, 2025, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How to Apply

Interested re-enactors are to review the information on this webpage and complete the Application Form below. If you require a different application format, please contact us. There is no cost to be a re-enactor. All re-enactors must register, whether or not they will be setting up a historic camp. Completed applications are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025.

General Requirements

Historic Period and Costumes

  • The Fort William Historic Site depicts the year 1815.
  • The period depicted by Rendezvous participants must fall within 1650 to 1840 and portray the North American fur trade.
  • Costumes must provide appropriate coverage as this event welcomes people of all ages, including children.
  • Participants are responsible for supplying and maintaining their own historic costumes, which must be worn at all times while camping on the historic site or participating in re-enactment activities.
  • All modernisms must be hidden when the event is open to the public and usage must be minimized throughout the duration of the event.

Participant Check-in and Check-out

  • Upon arrival, all Rendezvous Participants must check-in at the Admissions Desk in the Visitor Centre.
  • Check-in times are Wednesday, July 10 and Thursday, July 11 between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Friday, July 13 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you are unable to check-in during these times, please contact us in advance to arrange for after-hours check-in.
  • Check-out is by 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 14.

Parking and Vehicle Access to the Historic Site

  • All vehicles must be parked in the designated parking area.
  • Vehicles are not allowed on the Historic Site between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
  • With FWHP‘s permission, limited vehicle access to the Historic Site will be available outside of the hours. Directions will be provided at check-in.

Facilities and Services

  • FWHP will provide firewood, drinking water and toilets. Further information will be provided during check-in.

Meals

  • Meal preparation at your historic campsite must be conducted in historic fashion.
  • Food will also be available for purchase on-site from third-party vendors during public event hours.
  • There will be an evening feast for Rendezvous Participants on Saturday, July 13. Details will be provided at check-in.

Workshops

  • Rendezvous Participants are encouraged to engage in the various workshops available throughout the event. A list of workshops will be available on the Great Rendezvous webpage by mid-June.
  • Workshop registration will take place during the Great Rendezvous. Some workshops may have a fee to cover costs of supplies and equipment. Details will be provided at check-in.

Contests

  • Historic-themed competitions for individuals will take place throughout the event for a chance to win prizes. Details will be provided at check-in.

Black Powder Regulations

These regulations are designed to ensure the safety of all visitors and Rendezvous participants. All Rendezvous participants must be thoroughly familiar with these regulations if they are planning to bring a flintlock firearm and/or want to  participate in any FWHP events involving the discharge of firearms.

  • All flintlock firearms must be inspected and approved by FWHP’s Armourer prior to their use at our site.
  • All flintlock usage must follow the Safety Rules as printed in FWHP‘s Flintlock Manual. A complete version of the manual is available in the Historic Site Armourer Shop.
  • Participants are not permitted to bring their own black powder. All necessary black powder required for musket demonstrations will be provided by FWHP.
  • No projectiles are to be used in firearms, including paper and cloth wads.
  • The Historic Site Armourer Shop is available for cleaning firearms and provides an opportunity to meet other black powder enthusiasts.
  • No loaded firearms may be carried around the site. Loading is only permitted immediately prior to firing in designated areas and at designated times. All firearms must be carried with muzzles pointed towards the ground or sky.
  • FWHP will supply ear down. The use of hearing protection is mandatory. While discharging muskets, maintain a distance of 5 metres (16 feet) from anyone not wearing ear protection.
  • Firearms must have flash guards when fired in close order.
  • Musket firing is confined to the following designated areas and times:

– The historic Wharf to greet the daily canoe arrival. Firearms participants will meet at the historic Powder Magazine beforehand.

– The Agret Yard compound for flintlock demonstrations. Firearms participants will meet at the historic Armourer Shop beforehand. 

Participants will receive a map with these locations and information about specific firearms times at check-in.

Waiver

In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the Great Rendezvous event at FWHP, an attraction operated by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, for July 10-14, 2025, I acknowledge and agree that such participation will be solely at my own risk.

I understand that participating in the Great Rendezvous involves certain elements of risk and that accidents may occur while at FWHP. These risks include, but are not limited to:

  • Open fires
  • Adverse weather conditions
  • The presence of wildlife and small farm animals
  • Tripping hazards
  • Bodies of water
  • Getting lost on the premises.

Other risks at FWHP for which introductory safety instruction may be provided include:

  • Use of black powder
  • Activities taking place on water (in particular, canoeing)
  • Use of sharp tools and heat in workshops.

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to comply with the instructions communicated to me by FWHP. I understand that failure to comply with these will be my responsibility.

I waive, release, and forever discharge the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and agents (collectively, the “Ministry”) from all manner of actions, causes of action, claims, losses and demands whatsoever, including, without limitation, for death or personal injury, for loss or damage to my personal property, or damages of any kind, which arise out of or relate to my presence at FWHP.

I agree not to institute a claim, demand, or action against the Ministry for any of the claims or liabilities that I have waived, released, and/or discharged within.

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Ministry from any claims, loss, demands, or actions assessed against the Ministry as a result of my actions.

Release

I acknowledge that pictures and/or video may be taken of me while I participate at the Great Rendezvous event at FWHP, an attraction operated by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, for July 10-14, 2025. I give my permission for the Ministry to use my name, likeness, image, voice, and/or appearance as may be embodied in any pictures, photos, video recordings, audiotapes, digital images, etc., taken or made by the Ministry (the “recordings”). I agree that the Ministry has complete ownership of such recordings, including the entire copyright to them, and may use them for any purpose. I acknowledge that I will not receive any compensation for the use of any such recordings and hereby release the Ministry from any and all claims which arise out of or are in any way connected with such use.

I also consent to the collection, use and disclosure of my image and name in relation to the Recordings under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Ontario).

Application Form

* (asterisk) indicates required fields

Rendezvous - Participant Registration

Participant Registration

I want to receive Fort William Historical Park's e-newsletter:

Event Information

Check-in times are: Thursday, July 10 and Friday, July 11, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, July 12, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Arrival Time
Check-out is by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 14.
Departure Time
I am the primary contact for a group attending Rendezvous:
I am part of a group attending Rendezvous:
The time period portrayed must fall within 1650-1840 and portray the North American fur trade.
I plan to bring a flintlock firearm:
Are you interested in conducting a workshop for other Rendezvous participants?
Approximate length of time required
I will be setting up a historic campsite:
If you are staying at a historic campsite that is being set-up by another participant, select "No." Reservations for modern campsites at Fort William Historical Park's campground opens February 1, 2025.

Historic Campsite

If you are staying at a historic campsite that is being set-up by another participant, select "No" to the question "I will be setting up a historic campsite." Reservations for modern campsites at Fort William Historical Park's campground opens February 1, 2025.
My historic shelter will be a:
Ensure to indicate if the measurement is in metres or feet, and include ropes.
Please see the site map for reference.
I will be bringing a canoe:
I am 18 years of age or over.
Your privacy matters

Your personal information is being collected in order to review and respond to your application. Your application/personal information will be forwarded to Fort William Historical Park's Reservations and Event Team. Your information will not be placed on any mailing lists or released to any third party, except as may be authorized by law. For questions on how personal information collected on this page will be used, please see the privacy statement.