Conferences & Conventions

Every week on The Kershner Files show, I run through a brief list of gun shows for several states. It only makes sense to also start including conferences, conventions, and various gatherings that might interest you, your family, or your group. These gatherings and meet-ups are excellent forums to continually learn more about preparedness and homesteading. I’ve also included rendezvous events as well.

What is a rendezvous? In North American history, a rendezvous was a larger meeting usually held once a year in the wilderness. Regardless of the meeting type, it included a major transfer of furs and goods to be traded for furs. Variations included a mix of other types of trading, business transactions, business meetings, and revelry. The last original Rocky Mountain Rendezvous of the mountain men era was held in 1840. These annual gatherings, which served as trade hubs and social events for trappers and traders, took place from 1825 to 1840.

Rendezvous Events

  • Pathways Women’s Gathering – November 5-8, 2026: Fort La Buse, Bellville, OH – Women-only rendezvous, 1640–1840 period

  • 1812 Grand Tactical – May 23-24, 2026: Fort Meigs, 29100 W. River Road, Perrysburg, OH

  • 2026 Old Northwest Territories Primitive Rendezvous (ONWTPR) – June 26 - July 3, 2026: 7436 South Co Road 575 East Versailles, IN, 47042

  • Feast of the Hunters’ Moon – October 11-12, 2026: 3129 S. River Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906; 18th-century French & Native American rendezvous festival (annual)

  • Fort Boonesborough Fall Gathering – Oct 2026: Kentucky – Frontier living history, crafts, and demonstrations

  • Christmas at the Old Fort – Dec 2026: Fort Wayne, IN – Timeline event with colonial and frontier traditions

  • Frontier Christmas – Dec 2026: Wilderness Road State Park, Ewing, VA – 18th-century holiday reenactment

  • Historic Holidays Outdoor Festival – Dec 2026: Fort Meigs Historic Site, Perrysburg, OH – Winter living history

Homesteading Events

  • TBD

Prepper Gatherings

  • TBD

HAM Conventions

To find events in your state/region, go to the ARRL Hamfests and Conventions Calendar and search for your AO. The events and dates noted below are some of the bigger events in the HAM Radio arena.

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