NEWFANE-Step back in time at the Windham County History Fair and 250th Anniversary Celebration Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Newfane's historic common. With free admission, events, and parking, the fair celebrates Windham County's rich history and commemorates America's 250th anniversary.
Local museums, historical societies, heritage organizations, and artisans will gather to showcase the stories, people, and local traditions of the region. Throughout the day, re-enactors and skilled craftspeople will present live demonstrations of traditional trades and technologies, including musket firing, spy-crafting, blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, woodworking, bookbinding, beekeeping, and telegraph operating.
Hands-on experiences will offer a glimpse into the life and livelihoods of the past, as visitors of all ages try out historical tools and trades.
The fair kicks off at 10 a.m. with a parade led by a 1947 Vermont State Police cruiser. Following the parade, there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Windham County Courthouse and a tour of the Courthouse by Judge Michael Kainen.
Tours of the West River Railroad Museum (with a live telegraph operating demonstration), the County History Museum in the former Windham County Jail (with old jail cells still intact), and the Newfane Cemetery will take place during the day.
A Vermont Trivia Contest by the Vermont Historical Society happens at 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., with gift certificate prizes to the winners from the Four Columns Inn. The Chester Bookworm will evaluate old books, and the Windham County Genealogy Interest Group will help people start learning about their family roots. An antique car show will be on display all day.
It will be a day of living history, interactive displays, local traditions, family activities, food by the Vernon Creamie food truck, music by Bills Band of Wardsboro, crafters, raffles, bargain tables, and more.
For the full schedule of the day's tours and demonstrations, as well as the list of all historical societies, museums, artisans and vendors exhibiting at the fair, go to historicalsocietyofwindhamcounty.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.