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The Rendezvous is a fun, entertaining and educational reenactment of an annual meeting of voyageurs, frontiersmen, trappers, farmers and others to trade furs and other supplies.
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Yes, There are many activities that are designed for children and families (games, a storyteller, a juggler, contests, etc.)

It is held in a Forest Preserve on the Des Plaines River in Willow Springs, Illinois. Parking at nearby UPS facility 7811 Willow Springs Road, Hodgkins IL. Enter off Willow Springs Road at 79th street and drive north around the UPS Employment office on top of the hill. Directional signs will be posted throughout the area. A bus will take you to the Rendezvous from the UPS parking lot. Parking is free.

A: Buses run continuously and both drop off and pick up at both the west and east ends of the Rendezvous campsite in Columbia woods.

A: 10am-5pm on Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sunday.

A: Free for kids under 6 years old. $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens (over 62). $5 for children ages 6-17. $25 for a Family Pass for 1 or 2 adults and up to 4 children, age 6 - 12. Cash only please. BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE HERE

You will pay at the UPS employee parking lot before getting on one of the buses that takes you to Columbia Woods. Parking is free.

A: We consider age 62 and older to qualify for a senior citizen discount on the Rendezvous entry price. Age 62 is consistent with the National Park Service definition which we believe is appropriate in the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor.

A: Yes, but make sure to ask to have your hand stamped at the UPS employee parking lot where you pay your initial entry fee. GOOD FOR SAME DAY ONLY.

A: Yes, there is a handicapped accessible bus to take you from the UPS lot to Columbia Woods. Once in Columbia Woods the paths are not paved, but are level solid earth surfaces that can be traversed in a wheel chair (will take moderate effort)

A: No bicycles or walk-ins are allowed due to safety and security reasons.

A: No – for your safety and security, everyone must arrive at the Rendezvous on one of the buses that run continuously in and out of Columbia Woods from the UPS employee parking lot on 79th street.

A: Sorry but you will not be allowed to enter. The entire Forest Preserve is reserved for the Rendezvous. The Public may utilize the site again starting on the monday after the event.

A: Yes, there are a variety of food vendors at the Rendezvous. The food is similar to that eaten during the fur trade era – so you won’t find McDonalds – but you will find an interesting variety of foods such as grilled Ham and Cheese on Frye Bread,wild rice stew, kettle popped corn, ice cream, root beer, cider, etc.

A: Alcohol is not allowed at the event.

A: No, we recommend that you do not attend. Some years there have been wasps and bees. We take measures to control them (traps & spray), but cannot guarantee that the event will be “bee free”.

A: No. However, special exceptions can be made for seeing eye dogs etc

A: No, the event is scheduled for two days and will continue rain or shine.

A: Yes, just before the event the grass and weeds are cut. Then the area is sprayed by Des Plaines Valley Mosquito Abatement District and pellets are added to control mosquito larvae in any areas of standing water.