Pioneer Days festival offers family fun
PERRYOPOLIS – A wide variety of activities will be offered for the entire family this weekend during the 2004 Pioneer Days festival in Perryopolis. Beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, the George Washington Mill Complex, Fort Trial and Sampey Park will spring to life with events from both the colonial and Civil War era.
Crafters, food vendors and children’s activities will be available in the park with entertainment on Fisher Stage, running continuously from 12:30 p.m.
The Perry Pioneer Patriotic Choir will present the musical “The Spirit of America” created by Sue C. Smith and Russell Maulduin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Sampey Park Pavilion.
Pat Filak, who also directed the Easter musical this past Easter at the Frazier High School auditorium, which was a combined seven-church endeavor and featured more than 75 people, will direct the production.
The choir will perform music, including “This is My Country,” “America” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
The Civil War camp will provide firearms demonstrations, as well as two different Civil War battle re-enactments with pyrotechnics on Saturday and Sunday.
A Civil War-era ball with special music provided by the Acoustic Shadows of the Blue and Grey will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Special guest fiddler will be Don Schen with Miss Rosebud as the dance caller.
Admission is free to the ball with period dress encouraged but not required. In case of case, the location will be moved to the Son’s of Italy Hall on Liberty Street.
The George Washington Grist Mill Complex and Fort Trial will host a contingent of 18th century living historians and demonstrators.
The living historians will include Robert Adamovich who will return again this year.
Local historian, columnist, historical artist and host of HSTV’s “Historically Speaking,” Adamovich will display some of his artwork, which conveys the wilderness area Perryopolis once was.
In addition, Adamovich will be on hand to answer questions about George Washington’s involvement in southwestern Pennsylvania during the 1750s and about the Braddock Trail.
Michael Avera, whose specialty is colonial lighting, will demonstrate blacksmithing with bellows similar to those used at historic Williamsburg.
Steve Wood of Fort Frederick, Md., will be on hand to talk about Easter provincial life and give firearms demonstrations. His wife Rose will join him.
Linda Nicholson and Bob McGill, both members of the Slippery Rock Re-enactment Association, will represent a French soldier and camp follower. Their companion Wolfie will join them.
A 21st century surveyor by trade, Terry Tallion will represent an 18th century surveyor. He will bring the tools of the trade for display. His wife Shirley will accompany him.
Sonya Hanczar of Carnegie will demonstrate hand spindles as well as play the mountain dulcimer. Linda Rockwell will demonstrate colonial baking.
Ghost in the Head, Scott (Tenderfoot) Schmidtt and Carol Fortunato will provide an overview of the Native American perspective of the 1700s. In addition, Fortunato will provide children’s activities.
New this year will be Ron Nicely, author of “The Captive.”
He will be on hand in the distillery with copies of his book to autograph.
A number of other early American demonstrators will be on hand to provide a glimpse into the way of life in the 1800s.
Adrienne Dzurko, Eileen Gallagher and a number of volunteers will staff Addy’s Bake Shop. Jean White will present apple butter and homemade soup.
Elma Hamilla will demonstrate butter making with Ed and Jeannie Churby baking bread in the bakery’s wood fire oven.
Colonial brooms by John Gore, wool spinning by Bob Taylor and various rug-making techniques presented by Connie DuBreucq and Nancy Martin will bring to mind those crafts that were so vital to survival.
Anne Keffer will demonstrate quilting while the quilt show is held on the second floor of the gristmill.
Tom Dzurko will be on hand to weave baskets.
Gristmill tour hosts will be Leah Rose Evans and George Bubnash.
Other historic property open tour is the Old State Bank Museum, the Mary Fuller Frazier House and the Gue, a two-story log cabin.
A walking tour guide of Perryopolis is available.
A buckwheat pancake and sausage break will open Sunday morning at the main pavilion at 8 a.m.
An 1860s era church service will be held at Fisher Stage at 11 a.m. Greenfield Farms will provide a petting zoo and pony rides.
Entrance fees are reasonable with free shuttle service between designated parking areas and both Sampey Park and the Gristmill Complex from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Follow the signs from Route 51.
The Perryopolis Area Heritage Society and the Perryopolis Borough Parks and Recreation sponsor this event.
For more information, call 724-736-0166.