The Decline of the Rendezvous?

[Spikebuck]

Today I took a some time to walk through the Big Muddy River Rendezvous in Winona, MN.

Now, this has never been a big event, but not that many years ago my wife and I would take several hours wandering through the "vendor" tents looking at a wide variety of goodies and walking out with thinner wallets.

Today I went alone and it took me about an hour, and that included time to get and eat a frybread! But this post has more to do with something I witnessed that made me wonder about the reason for the decline.

One of the vendors had set up with PVC Pipe racks for some goods and was also selling nylon flags. Per the rules, the organizers asked him to take down the racks and remove the non-compliant flags. Rather than just admit his mistake, comply and go on selling the other stuff he had, he loudly stated he was just there to make money, then proceeded, in front of whole groups of visiting school children, to walk about to the few other vendors there proclaiming how he was cheated, and he was just there to make money, blah, blah, blah. When getting my frybread, I actually overheard some other vendors complaining to whom I assume was the head honcho and asking him to bend some rules for the guy.

I was just shaking my head. Hey...making money is a good thing. I wish all the vendors the best in being able to make sufficient sales and profit to continue on. But if we are to throw away the very essence of what a rendezvous is there to represent, then what's the reason to even have them? And to make things worse, this guy, who was acting more like the grade-schoolers that were visiting than an adult, makes a show of it in front of visitors.

Does this happen at other rendezvous? I haven't attended too many, but I have noticed quite a drop in participation/vendors over the last several years. Is it just a lack of recruitment of new people or is it also internal strife such as I unfortunately witnessed today that is part of the issue?

 

[jethro224]

Fortunately, I have never witnessed anything like that at an event. It is unlikely that the vendor you mentioned will be missed by many in the future if he doesn't return.

With gas prices sky-high and the economy still in the dumps, it is tough for vendors to make a lot of money. And the ease of ordering goods online isn't helping them either. Many vendors just can't make as much profit as they want, especially at smaller events.
There are two kinds of vendor. One sells quality items at premium prices to participants. They are there for the event, not necessarily to make a profit, if their sales pay for the trip they are happy. The other kind of vendor is only there to make a profit. They have to sell a lot of cheap trash and trinkets to the public to make money.

Truth be told, the very best events I attend don't have ANY big vendors. There might be a few blanket traders, but no big vendors.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Venders are disappearing from rendezvous simply because the participants are also dwindling. And those of us who still play the game aren't buying, we are downsizing. The only rendezvous that I know that is growing is the alaifi (spelling )in Florida. And it is growing because that is where the old buckskinners are moving to! :idunno: :idunno:

 

[FishDFly]

Does this happen at other rendezvous? I haven't attended too many, but I have noticed quite a drop in participation/vendors over the last several years. Is it just a lack of recruitment of new people or is it also internal strife such as I unfortunately witnessed today that is part of the issue?

There is no singular answer to your questions.
I do not go to Rendezvous as they are not in my area of interest, nothing wrong with them, just they are not me.

Your questions are asked at National Shoots, local shoots and Rendezvous all over the country and there are no stock answers. National shoots, local and Rendezvous, the attendance issue is the primary discussion and how to turn things around.
Observations:

1. Single parent households led by females is
not helping the shooting sports.
2. The poor economy is hurting the shooting
sports, lack of disposable income.
3. Many gun ranges are being shutdown, lack of
places to shoot.
4. Age, most BP shooters are now over 60 years
old and they are dying off quickly.
5. Most folks have an Urban upbringing, not
rural, no interest in shooting.
6. Previously most BP shooters were “blue
collar” workers and could do things with
their hands, and repair broken things, not
any more. Today, they are white color
workers who do not know how to load or clean
their guns.
7. See No. 2. I shoot line pistol matches.
Minimum is 3 pistols at $500 each, go to
the next level is another 3 pistols at
$500 each, and then we factor in travel
expepenses
8. To me it seems that today’s parents are more
interested in athletics in school because
that is what is important to them.
9. I worked to teach my ex-son-in-law how to
hunt and shoot. He wanted instant
gratification/success, he did not get it. I
shot in a very small club and the new members
expected to be immediately on the winners
board which did not happen. No medals and
they left.
10. Lastly, where does a person/family go and buy
locally the necessary guns and supplies to
start shooting? The day’s of affordable
rifles is gone.

There are no simple answers to your question.

Part of the problem is folks do not want to follow the rules and want exceptions for the vendors.

If I could find the answer to your questions, I could be rich.

Wish I could help.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Does this happen at other rendezvous?

Yes!
Sadly, many of the old timers and venders have passed on to the great rendezvous in the sky. As event organizers try to keep the rendezvous going, they become more and more lenient. I remember when dog soldiers would make constant rounds to keep things kosher”¦haven’t seen a dog soldier in years.
The whole thing is like a cancer that transforms the rendezvous into something that we don’t want to attend.
Because it is no longer a rendezvous!....its a flea market.

 

[sooter76]

A big problem is nobody knows about them. I didn't know Rendezvous even existed until I started looking into getting my first traditional muzzleloader a few months ago... And that was purely because I stumbled across the info and description. Look at how RenFaires are advertized, you know about them months ahead with flyers, Internet links, and all sorts of advertising. For Rendezvous you pretty much have to depend on word of mouth and that only works if you know people in the know.

I myself still haven't been to one but hope to soon if I can find one in the Kansas area.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Well, I have noticed that the better the rendevous the harder it is to find! :grin:

 

[Coot]

A big problem is nobody knows about them. I didn't know Rendezvous even existed until I started looking into getting my first traditional muzzleloader a few months ago... And that was purely because I stumbled across the info and description. Look at how RenFaires are advertized, you know about them months ahead with flyers, Internet links, and all sorts of advertising. For Rendezvous you pretty much have to depend on word of mouth and that only works if you know people in the know.

I myself still haven't been to one but hope to soon if I can find one in the Kansas area.

Rondys are pretty much centered on the participants & not the general public so they generally don't bother to advertise in the general media. Many rondys and reenactments are advertised in 'Smoke & Fire', a classified monthly newspaper that lists hundreds of events nationwide. Some of the best events are smaller & open by invitation - nothing unusual for some of the better camps & vendors at one event to be invited to attend other events that may not be advertised to the general public or listed in 'Smoke & Fire". Mrs Coot & I attend two events that are not advertised because the sites are pretty much full.

 

[sooter76]

I understand that and it's cool that they're like that, but as those that attend get older and pass on it means the eventual death of the Rendezvous... There's just little esposure outside of a Rendezvous to grow the next generation to keep it going. I only discovered them because of a blossoming interest in muzzleloaders. I wold imagine for most the experience would be a better way to Kindle an interest.

Kind of a victim of our own mentality thing...

 

[zimmerstutzen]

All of the above.

My second or third Eastern was at Gen Garry, W VA.

There was a "vendor" there that actually was more flea market than anything. He actually had coleman lanterns and a wooden tub wringer washer for sale. Even though I was just starting out, I was miffed that this attic yard sale had been permitted to unload his crap. Had he even been out with the modern set ups, I wouldn't have cared. It took two or three days until he was forced to comply and he howled and threw things like a spoiled infant. Most folks just move the "contraband" under cover or behind the flap so folks need to ask for it.

I took notice the last time the Eastern was at Muddy Run PArk, there were food vendors there with big gas stoves of the type from commercial kitchens. A far cry from the old "Burrito for a Buck" stand. (Haven't seen that guy in years)

I do go to see the vendors and old friends. I certainly do not go to see old kerosene lamps and florescent green feathers.

 

[fiddler]

yea I miss the burrito for a buck guy...........

 

[jamesthomas]

You are correct in the no advertising part I've never seen a article in a newspaper or Billboard, Where is the one in Florida? If its in the Panhandle I can make it. Another thing, The shoots and Rendezvous don't move around, if they would (could) move around I believe it would help them, Say, have 3 different places to hold it, and advertise it!.

 

[fiddler]

Are you an NMLRA member? The monthly magazine, Muzzle Blasts,lists most of ther major events throughout the country.

Muzzleloader magazine is also a good source.

 

[jamesthomas]

"Rondys are pretty much centered on the participants & not the general public so they generally don't bother to advertise in the general media. Many rondys and reenactments are advertised in 'Smoke & Fire', a classified monthly newspaper that lists hundreds of events nationwide. Some of the best events are smaller & open by invitation - nothing unusual for some of the better camps & vendors at one event to be invited to attend other events that may not be advertised to the general public or listed in 'Smoke & Fire". Mrs Coot & I attend two events that are not advertised because the sites are pretty much full. [/quote]"

Then how do they expect the sport of muzzleloading to grow, if they don't advertise it to the general public?? :slap: That's where you get new people interested in the sport!!. The Roundy's and shoots should be on half the Billboards, and all over the local newspaper 2 weeks ahead of time. If they don't care to do this then they deserve to die a slow lingering death as the shooters die off and the vendors quit coming because they can't make a profit, and why can't they make a profit? Because there's no advertising therefore nobody knows anything about it. Also I wonder how long those two events you and the Missus attend will remain full?.

 

[bjack40]

I'm 32 and have been going to Friendship ever since I can remember. I fondly recall the years between 1992-98. Now they always have had a "flea market" side, where anything could be offered for sale, and quite a few did offer modern novelties, trinkets, imported "junk." But for every such vendor, there'd have been 2 or 3 that had antiques, guns, knives, arrowheads, and "good stuff." Most of the good vendors even had furs hanging, that they had presumably trapped themselves or had taken in trade. It went a long ways toward establishing an atmosphere. Even the tent that specialized in leather and hides seemed to only have domestic animals, and an obligatory buffalo hide. Gone were the skins of bears and other wild game.
I took a couple years off because I moved away for awhile, and when I returned it was as if the plastic and nylon vendors had taken over. There's still a few vendors that reflect what the market used to be, but it's largely row after row of new socks, perfume/cologne, latest "As Seen On TV" offerings, bed sheets and yard sale leftovers that will be going to Goodwill if they don't sell there.
I went twice last month. I picked up some powder from the NMLRA, and went to Commercial Row to buy some balls and other accessories. I knew what I was looking for and found it. I wasn't able to just wander aimlessly and discover, because there largely was nothing unique there. If it wasn't for BP & accessories, it wouldn't have been worth the trips.
I certainly wasn't afraid I was going to find something cool and old that I just couldn't live without. I think most that qualifies as such as moved to eBay.

 

[Rick Boylan]

Well, I have noticed that the better the rendevous the harder it is to find! :grin:

That sure seems to be the truth. I have been looking for one to go to but they seem to keep them secret. Here in Iowa we used to have a good group of buckskinners attend the State Fair. They used to bring everything related to the muzzeloading sport. Rifles, smoothboars, flints, caps, etc. Everything but the powder. Well, PC police at the Fair put a stop to the guns and knives being sold. You really have to search the dwindling tents to even find a half decent throwing hawk. Most of what they sell is trinkets and crap. Not even a shadow of their former selves.

I would love to attend a good Rondy where I can look at guns, knives, hawks and items for my shooting bag and fire starting kit.

I hope I'm not too late to the party. I sure would enjoy such a get together.

 

[Rick Boylan]

:hatsoff:

 

[Keb]

Rondyvoos that are put on by the NRLHF are mainly for vendors to sell their stuff. They have 2 or 3 public days the camp is open to the public for a slight fee and every day the trader area is open to the public for that same fee. Fewer people attending makes for fewer sales. When people aren't buying their stuff the traders pack up and leave. If they can't cover costs they stay away.
I believe this was the smallest EPR ever with maybe about 700ish attendees. This rondyvoo didn't have any food vendors because the county wanted to charge them $300.00 for a 5 day license. It was a 10 day rondyvoo so it would cost them $600 in license fees. They speculate on how much they will make.

So I say if you want to experience a modern rondyvoo you better go to the next one. They surely won't be around much longer.

Oh Burrito Bob raised his price to $2.00 in 2009 and to $3.00 a couple years ago. I haven't seen him this year. The price of beans must have skyrocketed.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I think what we will see is the demise of the big Rendezvous, the tourist traps and the ones where they sell Chinese junk. I remember when all the rendezvous were small (10-100 people).
Those were the days, and I think that’s where we’re going again.
Or so I hope.

 

[Rick Boylan]

As long as they sell more period stuff and not just trinkets and junk I'll be happy. The guys who setup the trade tents at my local fair had great stuff back about 20 years ago. But as the years passed it has become a trinket flea market with not much associated with buckskinners, mountain men, or rondey type items. Very dissapointing.