Visit the Tennessee River Rendezvous in Saltillo
Tennessee River Rendezvous; Photo credit: Michael Gomez/Westlight Studios
Take a step back in time in the West Tennessee river town of Saltillo this spring at the fourth annual Tennessee River Rendezvous.
This unique history, heritage and weaponry festival features two days packed with reenactments, demonstrations and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. The educational event showcases many periods throughout American history, with reenactors and demonstrators representing Native American, frontiersmen, French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Civil War, World War I, World War II and Vietnam War periods.
Other highlights include cannon firings, flintlock musket firings and other period weapons demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, ancestral drums, Native American games, storytelling, flint knapping, period music, vintage WWI and WWII plane flyovers, and much more. There will also be arts and crafts vendors in addition to food offerings ranging from cowboy chuck wagon cooking to barbecue, burgers, fried pies and Cajun food.
See more: 9 Tennessee History Facts From the Tennessee State Museum
2024 Tennessee River Rendezvous
The 2024 Tennessee River Rendezvous takes place at 215 Ashley Road in Saltillo on April 12-13 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Admission is free. On Friday evening, the Rendezvous will also host a Historical Lantern Camp Walk led by guides in period costumes and featuring reenactors portraying historical figures. (Tickets will be sold online for this portion of the event). For more information, visit tourhardincounty.org/events or follow the Tennessee River Rendezvous in Saltillo Tennessee page on Facebook.
3 of us older adults went last Fri 4-12 and it encampment and dressed demonstrators were awesome. Unfortunately, Fri is “school “day” which means even tho open to the public they are virtually ignored. Demos/active exhibits were only open when the kids were there. No seating available for rest breaks, kids had all tables and chairs inside and adults had to “fight” for the 4 tables outside to eat, or walk around with your hot dog on the stick. And on a side note…ALL the gound is very uneven, not suitable for handicap exploration. I couldn’t even be able to push a W/C. It WAS a great day, wonderful vendors (who were there) food was good, most of staff were pleasant. Recommend for the younger crowd, especially with kids