Santa Fe Mountain Man Trade Fair Free, family event

Tough economic times hardly faze the folks ready to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the museum's annual rendezvous — the Santa Fe Mountain Man Trade Fair in the Palace of the Governors Courtyard. From Aug 12-15, enjoy this free event for the whole family. The Mountain Men (and women!) transform the  Courtyard into an 1830s setting, wearing authentic clothing, selling their wares and demonstrating their know-how on the “simple life” of another era – the early 1800s, to be precise. crafts. Children's activities are included.

Demonstrations and talks will include fire-making; moccasin-making; trade beads; bone, horn and claw implements; blacksmithing techniques; and Native American spirit animals. The full week's schedule:

Thursday, August 12

8-10 am: Early admission, $10

10 am-4:30 pm: Trade Fair open (free admission; $1 donation welcome)

10 am: Moccasin making by Terry Conn           

2 pm: History and design of Hawken rifles and Bowie knives by Bill Henaman

Friday, August 13

9 am-4:30 pm: Trade Fair open (free admission; $1 donation welcome)

10 am: Fire starting by Lynn Canterbury;  Spirit Animals by Kathy Kershaw

12-1:30 pm: Hands-on History: Mountain Man Makings

2 pm: Manufacture/techniques of 19th-century ironwork by Gary Schluter

5:30-7 pm: Clap your hands and stomp your feet to the live music of the era provided by  J. Michael and Hickory Strongheart Combs

Saturday, August 14

9 am-4:30 pm: Trade Fair open (free admission; $1 donation welcome)

10 am: Trade beads by Bob Blanchet

11am-1 pm: Wildlife Center will bring various raptors, a snake, and maybe even a Gila monster!

2 pm: Fire starting by Mark Wilke and Don Lankford

2:30-3:30 pm: Hands-on History: Mountain Man Makings                    

Sunday, August 15

9 am-3 pm: Trade Fair open (free admission; $1 donation welcome)

10 am: Bone, horn and claw 19th-century implements by Frank Kahlbau

1 pm: Moccasin making by Debbie Wheeler

Mountain Men were hunters and fur trappers whose rugged lives left Rocky Mountain legends from roughly 1820-1840. Their survival skills, including trading with Native Americans (and sometimes evading them), built a foundation of knowledge for the settlers who followed on the Santa Fe Trail. Among the 1,000 who roamed the West during the fur trade’s heyday were folks like Kit Carson and Jedediah Smith.

The tradition of the rendezvous started in 1825. A gathering to exchange pelts for supplies and reorganize trapping units evolved into a month-long carnival in the wilderness. According to one observer: "Mountain companies … make as crazy a set of men I ever saw." There were horse races, running races, card games, checkers, target shooting, singing and gambling. Whiskey drinking, not surprisingly, accompanied it all.

While the Museum’s trade fair won’t include alcohol, this family-friendly event – free but for the opening morning’s preview – includes period music, the display and sale of authentic and reproduced items, and games and hands-on activities for children. Visit the touch table and “discovery box” for a true feel of the everyday items used by these pioneers – as well as a few slick, furry and flat-out hair-raising ones.

Enter for free through the Blue Gate, just south of the History Museum’s entrance at 113 Lincoln Avenue. Or add a visit to the History Museum and the Palace of the Governors, where children 16 and under are always free. Admission for N.M. adults is $6, $9 for others.