The Feast of the Hunters' Moon is an annual festival and reenactment in Lafayette, Indiana, near the historic site of Fort Ouiatenon, an 18th-century traders' post.  Every year French traders and Native Americans would gather at the fort to exchange goods, and today's festival commemorates that relationship by inviting hundreds of reenactors from across the States to participate--playing music, selling custom 18th-century goods, and firing authentic weapons.  Oh, and did I mention the food? 

The two-day event is always packed with people, and is reminiscent of Williamsburg, Virginia as marching bands parade through the streets.  I camped in the Lafayette area and attended the Feast on Saturday, which was a blessing because it rained most of Sunday.  Here are some photos.

(The flag-raising ceremony.)

The arriving of the canoes on the Wabash River.


 

 These outfits, made by the lady in the photo, are called hobbies, and begat our use of the word hobby.  A hobby was originally a small, light horse, and a hobbyhorse in the 16th century came to mean a toy horse (or specifically a dancer's horse costume).  Today it refers to any pursuit engaged in merely for pleasure.  If I remember right, the names of these hobbies are Tippy the Horse and Dreadful Boar.

These unique dolls are made with apples.  The heads are carved out of a whole apple, then dried and fitted accordingly.  Some of the most difficult parts, said the couple at this booth, are the hands.

This is a local dulcimer group that has been at the Feast for several years.  You can stop in to listen, and if you look especially interested, chances are you'll get some quick music lessons.

I met a variety of reenacting kids as well . . .

This Native American boy was joining in what looked like a game of lacrosse.

These "reenactresses" had dimples in all the right places, and were sweet enough to let me take their portrait near the river.