The Living History Fair is set for Sept 21 at the Harmony Historical Society, 1943 Open Meadows Road in Ashville from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with no entry fee. The fair will include live demonstrations of 1860s crafts including, Basket Making, Bee Keeping, Blacksmithing, Book Binding, Broom Making, Hearth Cooking, Corn Shucking, Dress Making, Flint Knapping, Jewelry Making and Design, 1800s Leatherworking, Log Hewing, Paper Making, Porcelain Painting, Quilting, Tatting, Treadle Wood Carving, Weaving and Wood Bowl Carving.

There will also be Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, an old Roll-O-Bowl Car and a functioning Sawmill and Smokehouse.

New this year is the Historic Bemus-Stow Ferry Pilot House, which was raised from the bottom of the lake and fully restored. Also new is craftsman cabins which will have more live demonstrations.

The Harmony Historical Society has held this fair for over 40 years, except for during the Covid-19 pandemic, and Tina Scott with the Historical Society said it is a great experience for those with an interest in local history.

The Living History Fair will be held at the Harmony Historical Society in Ashville on Sept 21.

“Our Living History Fair is for people who are interested in local history, museums, antiques and the arts,” Scott said. “Those who enjoy seeing live demonstrations of the crafts and trades of the 1860s and learning new things. It is also for those who enjoy an afternoon in the country or who like to hike. Our festival is an enjoyable, family friendly event with food, music, crafts and socializing.”

Food will also be available to purchase at the Living History Fair, from “Best of Buffalo by Byron” food truck, and “Cups and Cones” ice cream. The “Doodlestix Dulcimer” band will provide music and the “Golden Needle Quilters” will be raffling off two quilts. All of the Historical Society’s buildings will be open, and there will be an option to walk the Nature Trail.

Scott said the annual Living History Fair is important as a way for people to see what life was like in the Harmony area in the 1860s.

“The festival is important for our area as we are showcasing the talents of our demonstrators who teach us about how our ancestors lived in the 1860 era,” Scott said. “The setting is very much like it would have been back then and that gives an added authenticity to the event. It celebrates our local community and those who came before us and settled in the towns of North Harmony and Harmony.”

Additionally, Scott said that while there is no entry or parking fee, the Harmony Historical Society will gratefully accept donations. The overall goal with the fair is to bring people together.

The Harmony Historical Society will be holding their annual Living History Fair, complete with live demonstrations from the 1860s, at the end of September. Submitted photo

“The idea of the festival is to get people together to demonstrate our shared local history and to let them know what is available at the Harmony Historical Society,” Scott said. “Visitors can bring the whole family. There is something for everyone.”

For more information on the Harmony Historical Society or the Living History Fair, visit them on Facebook or their website, http://harmonyhistoricals.org/.