Black Powder Trade Fair this weekend

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Early American history buffs should enjoy the 20th annual Black Powder Trade Fair this weekend at Turner Hall.

Crafts and arts of the Early American era will be featured at the event held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The fair is sponsored by The Plainsmen of the Northern Star.

Over one thousand people are expected, according to Hanska native Ron Botton who helped create it two decades ago.

"It's interesting if you are into history," Botten said. "People come from neighboring states. Lots of locals will come too. Some enjoy introducing it to their kids."

Botten, who formerly worked at 3M in New Ulm, is retired now and lives in Longville, north of Brainerd.

The trade fair in New Ulm and Rendezvous at Fort Ridgely each summer are among his favorite events of the year.

"It's like having all the Rendezvous traders under one roof," Botten said.

The event will feature pottery, basket-making, flint knapping, arrowheads, Native American ceremonial pipes and ladies' finger weaving.

Black powder bags and other Early American paraphernalia will be available.

Some enthusiasts get involved by buying a Black Powder gun, either to extend their hunting season, add a wall decoration to their living room or just for the fun of it, according to my.voyager.net.

Suddenly, people find themselves attending fairs and Rendezvous and wondering what it would be like to participate in them.

The most popular characters are 'Skinners ­ or something similar.

It's the thrill of shooting a Black Powder gun that attracts many people.

A Mountain rifle erupts with a noise most people never hear. The flame and smoke add to the excitement.

There is a lot of sport in Black Powder shooting. Modern guns and ammunition are so precise, it's hard not to hit your target.

With Black Powder, there are many more variables, variables under your control: how accurately you measure powder, how round the ball, how well centered the patch and how tightly things are packed.

The first thing to do if you want to reenact is to decide who and what you want to be.

Over 150 years ago, you could tell quite a bit about a man from his clothing--his occupation, wealth and social standing.

A white shirt meant a man was wealthy because white cloth was expensive.

Fancy prints, still expensive, were cheaper than pure white. After that came stripes, sold colors and the fabric's natural color.

Dyeing fabric cost less and was easier and safer than bleaching it.

Instead of playing a real life character, it is much easier to create your character.

Research a time period, geographical location and occupation instead of a specific person.

Of course, the proper accessories for the selected occupation are critical.