They're hoping their 30th will be their best yet.
The Perham area's Lake Country Mountaineers will host their 30th annual Black Powder Shoot Friday through Sunday, August 20-22 at Pioneer Village.
The event brings history to life with black powder enthusiasts from throughout the region traveling to Pioneer Village to attend.
Mountaineers president Mike Partain said the event has grown every year and this year should be no different.
"We will have people in attendance who have been with us since the start," said Partain. "It's turned into a real family affair with many families having three generations attending."
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According to Partain many people will begin arriving Friday night and begin setting up their camp.
"There will be two areas for camping. One area will be for people who are setting up camp and dressing in historical or period clothing," said Partain. "They will also be living in the manner they would have if they had been living in the period from 1795 to about 1840. That's what we call the fur trader era."
A second camping area will be set up for people who want more modern conveniences, but when they walk the rest of the Pioneer Village grounds they must dress in period clothing attire.
"It's just like you would be stepping back in time," Partain explained.
Events will run until about noon on Sunday. Then at about 2 p.m. an awards ceremony will be held.
Besides the muzzleloader and black powder shooting their will be competition in a number of other events related to pioneer living and survival. Prizes will be awarded in several categories and competitions including the top male, female and youth in each category.
"There will be tomahawk knife throwing and fire starting using flint and steel," said Partain.
An archery trail walk will also be part of the weekend where competitors take part using bows and arrows that they have constructed themselves. They'll then shoot at a variety of targets along the trail.
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Partain said an important part of the event is that the public is invited to take part in some of the activities - to get a first hand look at how to shoot with black powder or start a fire with flint and steel.
"We might see somebody who has been standing there and watching for quite some time," said Partain. "It's no unusual for one of the participants to ask that bystander if they'd like to give it a try and shoot a gun or try to start a fire."
According to Partain, at times during the event it seems as if everyone there is part of one big family.
"At night people will walk around the campfires and stop and talk," said Partain. "Sometimes people will bring out a guitar or harmonica and everyone will be singing."
Visitors do not have to be wearing period dress in order to attend the event.
