2009 Feast
Participant Information

Dear Participant,

Thank you for your interest in participating in the 42nd Feast of the Hunters’ Moon. This event strives to give both the public and the participants a realistic portrayal of the people, cultures, and lifestyles that existed on the French and English colonial frontier in the Great Lakes region during the time of Fort Ouiatenon, which encompassed the period from 1717-1791. We want to interpret this time and place as accurately as possible in order to offer the public an educational and unforgettable experience, and also to honor the people who lived here. Participants, merchandise, entertainment, and food should be appropriate to our time period and place, to the best of our knowledge and ability. Please read carefully the quality control section below. All participants are responsible for knowing what types of costume, equipment, and merchandise are appropriate for your area.

Categories of Participation
 

Sales and Demonstration  Deadline:  June 15th

Voyageurs                                                                            Deadline: June 15th if modern camping; August 1st if not modern camping
The voyageurs interpret the lifestyle of 18th century canoe men.  Voyageurs may register as independents or with a brigade.  They may participate in the canoe landings and races.

Performers and other Program Personnel                    Deadline: June 15th
Program personnel include performing groups, habitants, independent military units, and any other living history interpreter not involved in other categories.

Volunteers                                                                            Deadline: June 15th if modern camping, August 1st if not modern camping
Set up workers, gates, couriers, registration and other operations workers, TCHA booth workers, clean up workers, and other support areas.

Military                                                                                 Deadline: June 15th if modern camping, September 1st if not modern camping
The Forces of Montcalm and Wolfe and the Northwest Territory Alliance are the re-enactors of military life & operations at Fort Ouiatenon.  Registration is done by the Unit Commander with a military unit application, available from TCHA or the Feast website. Independent units should consult with the Feast coordinator for more information on registration.   Military personnel requiring modern camping should use this form (Section 4 – Modern Camping) to request a camp site.

Applications

Previous participants are generally accepted if they have worked cooperatively within Feast guidelines.  The grounds layout for 2009 will be much the same as last year.  Unless otherwise requested, participant sites on the grounds will be as close as possible to their previous location.  If you wish to relocate or have other layout concerns, please include this information with your application.  Applications received after the deadline will be accepted and placed on a space available basis.  We can not guarantee that returning participants will be able to keep their previous location if the application is received after the deadline.

New program, sales, or demonstration applicants must submit color photographs of their shelter, clothing and any merchandise or crafts they wish to exhibit or sell.  Documentation for any unusual or unique items should also be included as specified below in the quality control guidelines. Acceptance is determined from review of all entries received by the deadline and is based upon appropriateness and space available.  Written replies will be sent approximately 45 days after the earliest category deadline.

Fees are listed on the application form.  A 10% penalty will be assessed on all applications received after the deadline.  Payment in full must be enclosed with all applications

Quality Control

All items offered for sale must be appropriate to the 1717-1791 time period and our location on the colonial frontier. Emphasis should be placed on handcrafted items or items appropriate to interpreting the history of this era.  Modern display cases or racks, plastic bags or wire and plastic coat hangers may not be used.  The following items are specifically prohibited (new additions in bold):

 

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive but rather points out items of specific or recurring concerns. As a general rule, you should not plan on selling any item that is not universally accepted at other regional historical re-enactments. If you believe that a specific item is wrongfully included on the prohibited item list, or if you have any unique or controversial items that you want to sell, then we require that you provide documentation (preferably at least 3 distinct sources) that place your items in our area and time period. Our knowledge of the customs and goods of the Eighteenth Century period is a continually evolving thing and you can help everyone learn more about this period and help us update our standards with any new information that you can provide. We look forward to working with you to bring new and interesting goods to the Feast as long as they can be properly documented. Lacking such documentation, any items of questionable authenticity will be prohibited.

Feast staff will be reviewing booths to check for violations of these standards and for general booth appearance. If prohibited items are found, you will be asked to remove the items. If there are significant violations or a lack of cooperation with Feast officials, the vendor may be asked to leave and/or banned from future festivals. If there are problems or concerns, please see the Feast Coordinator or a member of the Feast quality control committee. If you are not able to abide by our standards then please do not apply. If you ignore or try to evade our standards, you will be denied the privilege of returning for future Feasts.