Old West comes alive this weekend in Poway

If you’ve ever wanted to know what life was like in the mid- to late-1800s, this weekend you have your chance.

The annual Rendezvous is returning to Old Poway Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. Admission is free for the event geared toward all ages. The park is at 14134 Midland Road.

Sean Hill, the city’s recreation coordinator at Old Poway Park, called Rendezvous “a very unique event” and “truest history event hosted at Old Poway Park.”

A couple dozen historical re-enactors will set up an encampment in the park, with around 600 school children interacting with those dressed in period attire on Thursday and Friday. The public will get the same opportunity this Saturday and Sunday.

“They will interact (with attendees) in character, behaving and speaking as they did at the turn of the 20th century,” Hill said, adding the re-enactors will also be camping in the park overnight, staying in canvas tents and tepees as appropriate for their characters.

Historical re-enactors during previous Rendezvous included people representing mountain men, cowboys, Buffalo soldiers, U.S. Marshals, Native Americans, Civil War soldiers and other civilians of the era. “There could be fur traders, Laura Ingalls Wilder-type families and a saloon proprietor,” Hill said.

Also making an appearance will be the Apache Canyon Gang and the Shadow River Regulators, both known for their train robberies and old-West style mayhem. The Frontier Army of the West will also do gun fighting re-enactments.

Two events normally associated with Rendezvous, a hobo campfire and a barn dance, will not be held this year.

In addition to the re-enactors, the Poway train will be in operation. Tickets are sold at nominal cost. Open with free admission will be the park’s Nelson House, history museum, quilting display by the Friendship Quilters in Templar’s Hall and model railroad display by The Motor Men in the Porter House, Hill said.

Poway Arts and Crafts Guild members will be selling some of their creations in the park’s fountain area. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the Hamburger Factory. The Farmers Market will sell food items from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.