Fourth annual Port Oneida fair tells story of rural culture

By Susan Pocklington
Sun contributor
Each August, amid the pastoral setting of meadows, maples, barns, farmhouses and corncribs, the Port Oneida Rural Historic District awakens from its peaceful slumber and comes alive with activity true to the period when it was a community of robust settlers. Once again visitors are invited to step back in time at the two-day Port Oneida Fair on Friday and Saturday, August 5 and 6 to experience life as it was in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Funded by a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and hours of donated volunteer time from local artisans and craftsmen, the event will showcase traditional rural crafts and life skills.

Visitors can take the trolley, drive, hike or bike to the seven unique historic sites where a variety of activities take place. One can almost imagine the life of these pioneers as the clip clop of horse and buggy is heard toting visitors down Port Oneida road on a scenic drive-by of the community’s historic homes, schoolhouses, barns and outbuildings. Timber framers, antique boat builders and quilt makers will be demonstrating their craft. Potters and blacksmiths will be hard at work. Children can try their hand at crosscut sawing and other farm implements. Oxen can be seen cutting hay in the fields while artists in the fields create paintings inspired by the cultural landscape. Or, take in a display of antique bicycles, cameras and phonographs. Learn about basket weaving, soapmaking, buttermaking, candle dipping, spinning, and fur trapping. Satisfy your curiosity and walk through many of the historic farmhouses and barns that will be open for tours.
Interpreting the history of the Port Oneida Community and its settlers is an important aspect of the fair. How did they live? What did they do? Who were the families that lived on these farms? Park rangers and local history experts will share these stories both on the trolley and at various farm sites. Food will be available or pack a picnic lunch to eat on the trail or in a farm meadow. Finally, rally up for the community barn dance on Saturday night for a taste of 1800’s entertainment.. The fair is presented by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes through a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the National Park Service, Glen Lake Schools, the Leelanau Historical Museum, Glen Arbor Art Association, Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce, Leelanau Conservation District and Shielding Tree Nature Center. For more information, call the Park at 326-5135 or visit www.leelanau.com/fair.
The Port Oneida Fair is made possible with the support of the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Susan Pocklington is the Administrative Coordinator for Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.