Port Oneida Fair features Civil War encampment, music and arts
From staff reports
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will host the 11th annual Port Oneida Rural Arts and Culture Fair on Aug. 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors to the event may take a shuttle, drive, hike, or bike between six unique historic sites to enjoy a variety of activities. Each week leading up to the fair, details will be made available about one of the following sites: Burfiend Barn, Kelderhouse Farm, Olsen Farm, Thoreson Farm, Dechow Farm, and Port Oneida Schoolhouse.
The Kelderhouse site for the Port Oneida Fair will include the farmhouse, farmstead, and cemetery. The Kelderhouse family was the second to move to Port Oneida after the Burfiends. The Kelderhouse farmhouse will be open to the public and the Kelderhouse family members will have photos and family history available to view. The Kelderhouse Farm is also the site of a small Civil War encampment to include a field hospital with period surgical instruments and a bandaging demonstration made by the encampment’s nurses. An infantry camp will be in place with soldiers and their equipment. The men of Port Oneida often served in the 26th Michigan Infantry, 15th Michigan Infantry, or the 10th Michigan Cavalry during the Civil War.
On Saturday, Aug. 11, at noon, the Robert Finch Camp 14, Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, will present a modified Grand Army of the Republic grave dedication service at the Kelderhouse cemetery. The cemetery is located just east of the house. Across the street at the Schoolhouse, there will be a display of Civil War gravestone rubbings.
Music and dance
Live music is the featured attraction at the Burfiend Barn both days of the fair. The Burfiend Barn site is about a half mile north of M-22 on Port Oneida Road (past the schoolhouse). The music was chosen to provide a variety of types that would have been performed in homes and at barn dances in the area during the Port Oneida historic period of 1855-1945. Music and dancing will be in the historic barn (a good example of timber-frame construction). During a break in the music, visitors are encouraged to take a walk around the site, watch the teams of horses working the field behind the barn, take guesses on the use of various horse-drawn farm implements, find out something about Michigan lighthouses and South Manitou Island, try a hand at traditional rope-making, or even learn about timber-frame building techniques. There are plenty of hands-on activities for the kids, too.
The Friday (Aug. 10) schedule is as follows: Noon, Third Coast Mandolin Ensemble: Guitar, Irish tenor banjo, concertina, mandolins, and harp; 1 p.m., An Dro: Four instrumentalists performing Irish melodies, old French songs and songs with Scandinavian influences; 2 p.m., Claudia Schmidt: Music, poetry, stories, laughter, drama, and just plain FUN. Garrison Keillor remarked, “When Claudia sings a song, it stays sung!”; 3 p.m., Pat Niemisto and Norm Wheeler: Pat is able to master any stringed instrument and Norm is a clever conveyor of the written word.
Here’s the schedule for Saturday (Aug. 11): Noon, Les Dagliesh and Pat (Smoker) Harrison: Playing guitar and harmonica on original songs; 1 p.m., Harmonica Hobos: Playing melodies from the past, campfire songs, and bluegrass all by ear. A fun group to listen to that really enjoys playing together; 2-4 p.m., Learn to Square Dance: Get a feel for how the people who lived in Port Oneida spent their free time. A good ol’ barn dance filled with square dancing. Caller: Pat Hoekje; Fiddler: Bob Sadler and students; Rhythm Guitar: Joe Bottomhorn. You do not have to know how to square dance to join in the fun! They will teach you right there and you’ll be stomping your foot and dancing before you leave the barn.
Celebrate the arts
Thoreson Farm will be busy with artisans creating beautiful works; from MaryAnn Wilcox and her “tooth-brush” rugs, to Kyle Connelly and his blacksmithing skills. Lois Beardslee will be returning with her native crafts. She will be creating her porcupine quill boxes and “bite-bark” decorations, along with other unique items. Leonard Thoreson will be there, telling stories of being raised on this beautiful farmstead. Also, children’s activities will abound at Thoreson Farm. The music with storytelling will delight them as well as their parents. At the Thoreson site, you can pitch some horseshoes, make a project to take home, pet the horses, explore the vintage house and barn, and enjoy the food from Cherry Republic.
Saturday evening from 8-10:30 p.m., the Thoreson Farm will be the site of the August Star Party. Join Park Rangers and the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS) for an evening under the stars. Learn about the history of astronomy and view Mars, Saturn, and the southern Milky Way. Also, see the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. For all astronomy events, bring a flashlight for the walk back to your car and bug spray, if needed. Park Rangers and GTAS staff will be wearing red glow bracelets at the event. The monthly Star Parties will be cancelled during inclement weather. The decision is usually made three hours in advance. Please call (231) 326-5135, ext. 331, for a voicemail message with the decision.
The Port Oneida Fair is a free event, but you must purchase a Park Entrance Pass and prominently display it in your vehicle. Please call (231) 326-5135, ext. 328, to make reservations (if you plan to bring a group), or ask questions, or visit the National Lakeshore’s website at www.nps.gov/slbe. Program information is also available on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sbdnl.
