FRENCH COLONIAL CRAFT AND TRADES FAIR SEPTEMBER 18 AT FORT DE CHARTRES

PRAIRIE DU ROCHER, IL - Visitors are encouraged to try their hand at 18^th century handiwork during the French Colonial Craft and Trades Fair being held Sunday, September 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fort de Chartres State Historic Site near Prairie du Rocher.

           

Although there will be no crafts for sale during this event, it provides visitors a rare opportunity to see crafts and trades from the 1700s in action, and to try some of the activities themselves using period tools.  18^th-century activities going on include wood turning on the Great Wheel Lathe, basket making, leather working, pottery, calligraphy with quill pens, scrimshaw, and apple butter making.  The hands-on activities are free and open to the public. 

           

Several other activities will occur in the area in conjunction with the French Colonial Craft and Trades Fair.  The Prairie du Rocher Volunteer Fire Department will hold their annual Bar-B-Q and Antique Car and Tractor Show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring attendance prizes and a 50-50 drawing.  The Randolph County Historical Society will hold their annual Apple Fete at the historic Creole House in Prairie du Rocher from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  This event will include apple butter and other food items, crafts, music, and house tours.

           

Fort de Chartres State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.Illinois-History.gov), is a recreation of a mid-1700s French fort that was located along the Mississippi River.  It is located along State Route 155 about four miles west of Prairie du Rocher, and is open Wednesday through Sunday for free public tours.  For more information, contact Fort de Chartres at (618) 284-7230 or e-mail the Fort at ftdchart@htc.net.