Mountain men and plainswomen, fur traders and long hunters, French natives and American Indians will make the journey to eastern Jefferson County this weekend from across the Midwest.

Bill Karl, a local organizer for the 2008 Original High Plains Regional Rendezvous, said about 80 historical re-enactors from 11 different states have pre-registered for the weeklong primitive encampment. Anyone interested in joining the encampment can visit the site – five miles north of McLouth off Kansas Highway 92 – Saturday or Sunday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The encampment is an annual event that rotates among five states, and Karl said this is the first year it has been in Kansas since 2003.

The week’s activities will include traditional rifle and archery matches, cooking competitions, hawk, knife and flint knapping demonstrations, and games.

“We’re pretty family-oriented,” Karl said. “We try to keep a pretty authentic pre-1840s event.”

Participants, after the encampment’s opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Sunday, are required to be outfitted in period dress and lodging until closing ceremonies June 21.

For more information about other requirements of those participating, contact Karl, (913) 796-6268.