The 11th annual Black Powder Desert Rendezvous, hosed by the South Cariboo Sportsmen Association (SCSA) at their facility south of Cache Creek, took place over the Thanksgiving weekend and was a huge success.
The weather was ideal, and the event attracted 31 participants from as far afield as Prince George, Quesnel, Salmon Arm, Kamloops, Chilliwack, Vancouver Island, and Okotoks, Alberta. They were there to take part in a variety of competitions harking back to the days of “black powder” (early- to mid-19th century) and the weapons that were current then, such as muskets, bows and arrows, tomahawks, and knives.
Period dress is also encouraged, with participants donning the costumes of fur traders and mountain men and women. Some even go so far as to sleep under canvas when they participate in a rendezvous, in a nod to days gone by.
Two familiar names at this year’s Desert Rendezvous took top honours with their overall scores. Taylor Sapergia was named the Top Mountainman 2024, while Margie Chat was the Top Mountainwoman.
A new award was presented this year: the Jim Moon Most Sportsman award, named in honour of the longtime Black Powder aficionado from Ashcroft who recently passed away. The award went to Yvonne Clarke.
“I would like to give a very special thank you to all of the businesses and residents and other donors in Ashcroft, Cache Creek, and other areas for their kind donations to this year’s Thanksgiving Black Powder,” says Ken Brown, director of the Black Powder division of SCSA.
“The 11th annual Desert Rendezvous was a huge success, so thank you so much, and also to all the people who worked so hard to make this weekend a success for our club as helpers. Thank you to all the people who participated.”
Highway 1/Boston Flats donors
ASC Auto; Cornwall Esso and Tim Hortons; G&C Electric; R.H. and H. Outfitters; Mettle Dreams; Rob Donaldson – Bradner Farms.
Ashcroft donors
Arrow Transfer; Revelations Salon; Becca’s Barber Shop; Home Hardware; Nature’s Gifts; Safety Mart; Interior Savings Insurance; Beem Savings; Fields Stores; Ray Johnson Construction; Quality Glass; Suncatcher Gifts; Ashcroft Chevron; John Savage; Barry and Letty Hanson; Ashcroft Terminal; RolGear; Sam’s Diner; Koppers; Ashcroft Print Shop; Central Café; Community Futures Sun Country; G&T Auto; Ashcroft HUB; Unitea Café and Lounge; Jim Jones; Ashcroft Journal; IDA Drug Store; Kevin Hugh The Cable Guy; Ken and Betty Brown; Dr. R. Bolen – The Foot Doctor; Dr. W. Habeeb – Dentist; Deb Wawrenuik; Bill Forsyth; Ashcroft Bakery; Bloomin’ Paintbrush Art Studio; Mia Pasta; Associated Electrical Services; Sherri Fraser – 5th Avenue Jewellery; Sundance Guest Ranch; Kathy Cameron.
Cache Creek donors
Hungry Herbie’s; Anie’s Pizza; Husky/Esso; CRC Cement; A&W/Chevron; Cariboo Clear Water; Lordco; Star House Restaurant; Junctions Coffee Shop; Rob Wilcox; Reni Lind.
Out of town donors
Mike Brown; Norman Abraham; John Perrin; Yvonne Clarke; Gail Yun.
