NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, July 24.
SEQUIM — Visitors can travel back in time 175 years to the Olympic Peninsula’s fur trading era at the Peninsula Long Rifles’ 44th annual Rendezvous today, Saturday and Sunday.
The four-day primitive camp-out and re-enactment of an 1840s trapper and trader camp for re-enactors and primitive riflery enthusiasts began Thursday on Slab Camp Road, south of Sequim, just off Lost Mountain Road.
It includes more than 100 flintlock, caplock and archery shoots in range shooting contests, knife-and-‘hawk throwing contests, and youth activities such as a hay scramble.
Visitors can attend daily events for free to watch the old-time shooting, browse Traders’ Row, visit bowyers — craftspeople who make bows — observe old-time camp activity and join in events similar to those that might have been held at early trade camps.
The Traders’ Row is a replica of an early settler trading camp featuring costumed traders in traditional canvas tents and on open-air blanket sales.
They sell hand-carved bone items, camping gear, weaponry, jewelry, clothing and other items that may have been found in a trading camp of the era.
Costuming is also sold at Traders’ Row for those who want to get into the spirit of the event.
Food and drinks will be available for sale from a vendor on-site.
Duel today
At 5:30 p.m. today, contestants will duel it out in a Derringer shoot with old-time pistols, said Deb Rupp, secretary of the Peninsula Long Rifles.
On Saturday, shooting events will be capped by the 5 p.m. steak dinner.
The steak dinner is $15 per person.
Sunday will open with a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., or when people stop coming to get pancakes, Rupp said.
The pancake breakfast is $5 per person.
Primitive campsites and “tin tipi” (RV) campsites are available for the four-day family-friendly camp-out.
There are no water or electrical hookups available on site, and a burn ban is in place, so cooking must be done on a gas or propane stove or grill.
Last-minute entries and campsites are available.
Late registration for adult shooters 16 and older is $40; for adult non-shooters, $30; for junior shooters age 10 to 15, $25; and for junior non-shooters, $20.
Children age 5 to 9 are $10, and children 4 and younger can camp free.
A family camp rate is available for $75 and includes two adults and dependents younger than 18.
The steak dinner and pancake breakfast is included in camping registration.
For more information about the Peninsula Long Rifles’ Rendezvous, visit the group’s website at www.peninsulalongrifles.com.
