Frenchman's Frolic returns to Macktown Living History

Frenchman's Frolic welcomes visitors and reenactors on October 21 & 22, 2023 at the Macktown Living History site. The annual event is a free opportunity to come and walk through and experience life in a pre-1850s rendezvous camp as Macktown founders Stephen Mack. Jr. and his wife Hononegah might have experienced it at the first permanent settlement in Winnebago County.

Our vendor Hang Around Cafe will be serving food.

Each morning, but not too early, French voyageurs will arrive by boat and raise the flag. Voyagers were French Canadians who carried furs by canoe over long distances through the interior of North America in the 1700's and 1800's. The weekend continues with games throughout each day.

Frenchman's Frolic represents a relaxed end of the season for reenactors and a chance to "revel" when visitors are gone.  They wear pre-1850 apparel and are glad to explain the items they brought or made, without always playing a 19th century character. Revolutionary War re-enactors might join with French revelers for the weekend.

Saturday:

11 a.m. - Voyager landing/flag raising
Noon-2 p.m. - Boules Tournament
Noon & 2:30 p.m. - Kids Games
1 p.m. - A Short History of Dueling
2 p.m. - Post Shoot (black powder by the quarry by the river)

Sunday:
11 a.m. - Voyager landing/flag raising
Noon & 2:30 p.m. - Kids Games
1 p.m. - Hawk Throw
2 p.m. - Frying Pan Toss