Lewis and Clark Festival celebrates early 19th century pioneers

Spend a weekend learning about the rugged life of Ohio Valley pioneers at the dawn of the 19th century at the Lewis and Clark Festival. The fun, hands-on festival on Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18, will be at the Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, Ind., just across the Ohio River from Louisville.

The festival is named for explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, captains of the first American transcontinental crossing. In 1803, Lewis and Clark recruited men in Louisville and Southern Indiana for their three-year historic expedition, the Corps of Discovery, to the Pacific Ocean and back. The festival will take place at the Falls of the Ohio State Park's George Rogers Clark Homesite. General George Rogers Clark — a hero of the American Revolutionary War and the founder of Louisville, Ky., and Clarksville, Ind. — was the elder brother of William Clark. You can visit George Rogers Clark's cabin and learn more about the military hero and pioneer.

Re-enactors will demonstrate many aspects of life for settlers in what was then the backwoods of Southern Indiana in the early 1800s. There will be artillery demonstrations throughout the day. You can also see demonstrations on spinning, weaving, candle making, campfire cooking and other historical equipment. Think you can handle a mammoth two-person cross-cut saw? Find out! Taste savory bison stew and other pioneer food. Visit the blacksmith at his forge. Practice throwing a Native American atlatl (spear).

Be sure the kids don't miss the early 19th century games and a chance to pet and frolic with goats!

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. 

Falls of the Ohio State Park Falls of the Ohio Museum Lewis and Clark Meriwether Lewis William Clark Louisville Clarksville pioneers history fossil museum archeology museum state park Ohio River falls Indiana history Louisville Louisville history Southern Indiana Indiana history Indiana Kentucky General George Rogers Clark George Rogers Clark