45 years for Feast of the Hunters' Moon

FORT OUIATENON, Ind. (WLFI) - The 45th annual Feast of the Hunters' Moon this weekend celebrates the rich heritage of Tippecanoe County dating back over 200 years.

6,800 participants are gearing up to re-create what life was like in Greater Lafayette more than 200 years ago. As blacksmiths, artists and furniture makers prepare some special guests got a sneak peak at this year's attractions.

Feast Coordinator Leslie Martin Conwell said every year before the feast special needs children visit the festival at Fort Ouiatenon.

"They are so excited and they're so enthusiastic and frankly it reminds us why we do what we do,"Conwell said. "Why we all work so hard year round and just to see their enjoyment and their fun is what really gives us spark and gets us going for the weekend."

It's a weekend full of authentic art, music and, of course, food. Conwell said tens of thousands of visitors are expected to go to the festival. Some for the first time and many who've been before.

Conwell said the Tippecanoe County Historical Association tries to bring in new attractions so guests can expect a different experience year after year.

"They will definitely see some new and different things. We have some new artisans here too including the finest maker of colonial furniture here. He handcrafts it. It's beautiful. We're so proud to have him," Conwell said.

Another project TCHA is currently working on is trying to sell the historic Fowler House in downtown Lafayette. Executive Director of the historical association Kathy Atwell said they have invested some money into the house to keep it looking nice until they can find the perfect buyer.

"It is our desire to keep the house in a public sector. Whether it's a restaurant, offices, but not as a private resident," Atwell said.

Atwell said TCHA hasn't set a price for the historic property they've owned for over 70 years. She said because the house is empty and unused TCHA can't afford to keep it. She said while there's not a set price the money from the sale will go toward funding new TCHA programs.

"As a historical association we're so thin right now and if we didn't have that responsibility then we could add some stuff and do some more programming and do a little more of what our mission is," Atwell said.

Atwell said they've met with some interested buyers but haven't come to any agreements.

Feast of the Hunters' Moon Ticket Information:

Tickets for the Feast of the Hunters' Moon start at $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Festival hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

You can purchase tickets in advance from the following locations:

Pay Less Supermarkets
Farmers State Bank
Lafayette Bank and Trust
Purdue Federal
Regions Bank

You can also get tickets at the following TCHA sites:

Battlefield Museum, Battle Ground
Frank Arganbright Genealogy Center, 1001 South St., Lafayette

For more information visit this website .