Sleeping Bear Dunes holds Port Oneida Fair
From staff reports
Every August, 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.
Visitors take a step back in time at the two-day Port Oneida Fair to experience life as it was in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This year’s Fair is Friday and Saturday, August 9-10, from 10 am-4 pm in the farmstead area of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore northeast of Glen Arbor.
Take the trolley, hike, bike or drive (if you must!) to the select historic sites where a variety of traditional rural crafts and activities take place. More than 100 demonstrators will be hard at work.
Children can try their hand at crosscut sawing and other farm implements. Horses mowing in the fields while artists create paintings inspired by the cultural landscape. Take in a display of antique bicycles, cameras and phonographs. Learn about basket weaving, soapmaking, buttermaking, spinning, and fur trapping. Satisfy your curiosity and walk through many of the historic farmhouses and barns that will be open for tours.
Pack a picnic lunch to eat at under a tree, or purchase food at various sites. This is an enjoyable and relaxing, yet educational family time. The event is hosted by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Find a full schedule here. Buy your Port Oneida Fair posters at the Olsen Farm or at the Cottage Bookshop in Glen Arbor.
Visit Six Historic Sites
Burfiend Barn: A focus on maritime activities and live music; hands-on children’s activities; square dancing; snacks
Dechow Farm:Oxen mowing in the fields; horses and other livestock; bees to broom and ropemaking; Moomers ice cream and Lion’s Club lunch; too many demonstrators to mention!
Kelderhouse Farm: Visit with the Kelderhouse family; Re-enactment of Civil War camp life – get bandaged by the nurse! Planting and harvesting of grains in the fields.
Olsen Farm: A focus on historic food preservation and cooking demonstrations; dulcimer music; Presentations: Farm life; Port Oneida Past and Present; quilting; soapmaking; Cherry Republic Ice Cream, children’s games.
Port Oneida Schoolhouse:“School” is in session most of the day. Sit in for a spell. See Special Event schedule for times.
Thoreson Farm:A focus on traditional crafts – spinning, blacksmithing, face painting; ponies; local artists, musicians; Cherry Republic lunches and snacks
STAR PARTY: 8 pm on Saturday night at Thoreson farm. We’ll have you seeing stars with the help of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society’s telescope.
