‘Night Of The Werewolf’ Is Saturday

By MARK EVANS

STE. GENEVIEVE HERALD

Fun, a little history and some spine-tingling thrills will be available to participants in the annual Night of the Werewolf this Saturday night.

Put on by French Colonial America (FCA), the event will take part in the downtown historic district, 7-9 p.m. 

It will feature members of the Milice de Ste. Genevieve, the town’s colonial militia reenactors, patrolling the streets to protect people from any dangerous werewolves.

Meanwhile, ghost stories will be told, fires will be built, with s’mores and other treats made. 

There will also be games and activities for kids of all ages.

While younger children will have some indoor games, adult and older children can test their nerves walking the darkened streets as several lycanthropes prowl the downtown, trying to evade the armed milice.

The activity dates back to before the FCA took over managing the historic properties owned by the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Missouri, according to FCA properties director Robbie Pratte.

“I think the administration at the time was just kind of inspired by the very rich history of, frankly not only the French alone, but also the  Native American tribes,” Pratte said. “They all had traditions. 

“The Native American tribes called them shape-shifters or skin-walkers, and of course the French called them werewolves or loup garou as well as rougarou, which is more of a Cajun thing down in Louisiana.”