Rendezvous Holds Fast During Storm
Annual Rendezvous festivities were held June 13-16 at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site during a memorably stormy weekend.
Featured activities included Plains Indian Sign Language with Cedric Halvorson and Brandon Delvo, Flintlock firing demonstrations with Sawyer Flynn and hide demonstrations with Billy Maxwell. Parks staff also unveiled a newly acquired, historically-accurate keelboat. More than 2,000 people attended this year’s event.
Campers were met with high winds and rainy conditions Saturday night, when a band of thunderstorms moved into the area. National Weather Service Glasgow meteorologist Angel Enriquez shared reports of winds in excess of 70 mph in the area.
Maxwell told the Northern Plains Independent that site officials brought attendees into the fort’s basement during the storm.
“They took good care of us down there,” Maxwell said.
Mike and Eric Bickler from Bismarck, N.D., were among many campers and vendors who had their canvas and rope setups tested by the weather.
“The tent’s still here,” said Mike Bickler, “that’s a good sign.” Many campers and vendors were gone by morning.
Mike Smith was assisting with site management as a volunteer for Williams County emergency management. “We parked a few miles west of the fort and watched the weather come in,” he said. He said volunteers alerted National Parks Service staff, who directed visitors, campers, volunteers and staff into the basement for shelter. Smith said two people were treated for symptoms of mild illness and exhaustion during the weekend.
For more information about upcoming events hosted by the Fort Union Association, visit fortuniontp.org or call 701-572-2795.
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic site is located 23 miles west of Williston, N.D. No fees are required to visit the site. It is open Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exceptions of Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
