fort ouiatenon

We usually come here for the Feast of the Hunters Moon. The people who run the place do a good job!!

Growing up in West Lafayette I had numerous opportunities to visit the old French trading post. Each visit was wonderful whether on a picnic on the banks of the Wabash or learning from those who inturpt this area's history. If you are in the area, please plan to visit. You and your family won't forget it.

This is a park near West Lafayette, Indiana that's next to the Wabash River. For 51 weekends out of the year it's a quiet area to picnic & see the inside of the blockhouse. Voyaguers's Landing is also there, with an area to launch boats into the Wabash. This a free park. However, the first weekend in October is the Feast Of The Hunters Moon Festival. This park comes alive with hundreds of re-enactors & festival enthusiasts. The first thing is parking. You can park somewhat near the park & pay $10 to a nearby resident. Some of the parking is far enough away to make for a lengthy hike. Why do that when you can jump on a shuttle bus at nearby Ross-Ade Stadium & ride FOR FREE!!! Parking is free at the stadium. It takes less than 10 minutes. The next thing is admission. You can get on the internet & buy tickets for $10 per adult before the festival. If you wait until the day of you pay $12 at the gate. It pays to buy ahead! Get there a little before 10AM Lafayette time. That's when the opening ceremony begins. It's very nice to see all the Fife & Drum Crops march in to the parade ground along with the Native American groups & Voyageurs all dressed in period costume. A slice of history. There were 481 booths at the Feast this year. Some sell food. What's interesting is all the food is somewhat of the period. They don't sell hot dogs! There's fry bread, turkey legs (very popular!), buffalo stew & burgers, pork chops, roast beef sandwiches, soups, ect. The craftsman booths are also somewhat of the period. They sell carved wooden products, iron products (some made right there). There's home made soaps, perfumes, as well as apple head dolls & leather products. There's also a lot of furs & fur hats (some with the skulls still inside!), which may upset some people. I thought it was interesting that some of the booths had their items displayed on the ground on blankets like a real trader would probably have done. There's children's activities. There are booths that teach how crafts were made back in the day. There are several stages where you can see the Fife & Drum Corps perform, as well as jugglers, Indian dances & games, fiddlers & numerous other musical acts. People have come from all over the country to be a part of this Festival! Along the river is the Voyageur's camp, The British camp, & there's several other Military camps around the park, as well as a living Ouiatenon village. There are numerous port a johns, as well as a first aid station. There's also a strong, but not obtrusive police presence It's just a fabulous experience. There's the sound of muskets & cannons. The musical sounds of bagpipes, fife & drums. The smells of food & crisp Autumn air. There's so much to see & do. .

I brought my parents who were here visiting from VA out here for a picnic. We had a wonderful time. Watching the river flowing by, looking at the beautiful scenery, walking into the buildings there and reading the historic information about them....it was a wonderful afternoon!!

Great year round park with convenient Wabash river access and a phenomenal annual festival celebrating those days when native Americans, settlers and voyagers lived & worked together.

New and interesting foods to try, re-enactors who are sleeping in historically accurate tents for the weekend, hatchets, woolen cloaks, hot cider... What more could a girl want? If you like history or just festivals in general, this is a cool one. It celebrates the Indians native to the area and the French voyageurs who built the original fort at this location. We always have fun when we go, and there are all kinds of interesting things to see that demonstrate the life of early Indiana settlers. Bring the kids or go as a couple or with friends. I've had fun every time I've been there. Just be prepared to get muddy if there's been rain!

I've been to many "folk festivals" and recreations around the world and this one is really outstanding. Well organized with many people who are serious about their craft. Watching the canoes come down the Wabash gives goose bumps. Get the kids away from the TV and the Wii and go for the day!

Can't believe they've been doing this feast for 40 years and we've never been. Enjoyed the whole historical reenactment of the French and Native Americans. Everyone dressed for that time period, even the children....very well put together. Food was excellent, along with unique crafts throughout. Wonderful time well spent.

Every early fall, Fort Ouiatenon is the site of the Feast of the Hunter's Moon. This is a historical reenactment of a French/Indian trading post in the 1700s drawing spectators and participants from all over the Midwest. There is great attention to detail to keep everything (costumes, music, food, items for sale) historically accurate. People of all ages will enjoy this from the smoked turkey legs to the Native American dances. Parking is available nearby for a fee but its less stressful to park at the Purdue University football parking lot and take a Feast Shuttle bus.

The Feast is held every fall and is a great re-enactment of the French and Indian War. The costumes, food, displays and games are pretty authentic of that time. Lots of fun.

Feast of the Hunters Moon is the only reason to visit. This takes place in the fall. There are about 500 to 700 booths open that sell food and items from the time period of Native American and French trading that went on in the area during pre colonial times. Lots of reinactments and people in dress. Very fun and informational. We try to go every year. You can park at Purdue's football parking lot and take the shuttle for free. Tickets are less if you get them online.

We visit Fort Quiatenon each year for the Feast of the Hunter's Moon. Fall festival that celebrates the French and Indian history of the area from the 18th century. We love the musical groups - old sea shanties and French songs... Lafayette Fife and Drum Corps (French Marines) and Voyageurs are some of our favorites. Food and authentic crafts are great. Since they added a tavern, there's something for everyone.

Fort Ouiatenon (Wee-teh-non) is a historical site sitting on the Wabash River located south of Purdue University. Settled by the French in the early-mid 1700's, the site is now akin to a large park with open fields, outdoor pavilions, etc. Although a bit out of the way compared to some of the other parks (Happy Hollow, Columbian Park) It is great for larger bbqs, nature hikes, and fair weather.The Fort's blockhouse is open weekends from 1-5 p.m. May through September. Feast of the Hunters' Moon is a historical re-living, family attraction held every Fall usually late September.

the best time to visit is during the feast of the hunters moon. the have a lots of tents with tons of food, crafts, art, ect...