ROCHESTER — The family of John “Rocky” Barrett, chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Shawnee, Okla., will be the honored family this year at the Trail of Courage Living History Festival, set for Sept. 17-18, at the Fulton County Historical Society grounds.

A different Potawatomi family is honored every year at the Trail of Courage in its presentation of frontier Indiana. In 2015, it was Matt Wesaw who was the honored Potawatomi family. Barrett will be presented a key to the city of Rochester at the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Similar ceremonies will take place Sunday morning, Sept. 18.

Barrett is descended from two original Potawatomi families: Bourassa and Peltier. The Bourassa/Boursaw family has been honored and written about in previous years, so this year the Peltier history will be researched and written for publication.  

Always an event that brings never-known history, the 41st Trail of Courage Living History Festival will have many special things for the Indiana Bicentennial.

The FCHS grounds are 4 miles north of Rochester on U.S. 31 where the museum and big white round barn is seen beside the highway. The Trail of Courage is held there on the banks of the Tippecanoe River from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. Admission $7 for adults, $3 for children age 6 to 11 and free for age 5 and younger.

Living history activities, traditional crafts, blanket trading, wigwams and teepees make this like stepping on a movie set. Many schools send buses of children. Foods cooked on wood fires include buffalo burgers, ham and beans with cornbread, barbecue, corn on the cob and apple dumplings. Lots of tables and benches make this relaxing for all ages. It is handicapped accessible.