Heritage Days

47^th ANNUAL OSBORNE HERITAGE DAYS      OCTOBER 8 & 9

Clayton County Conservation’s 47^th Annual Osborne Heritage Days will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 8^th and 9^th, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day.  Travel back in time to experience some of the sights, sounds, smells and activities of early pioneers during this family fun event. Heritage Days is held in the Pioneer Village of Osborne Park, located 5 miles south of Elkader on Highway 13.

Heritage Days recreates some of the crafts, skills and lifestyles of the early pioneers.  Visitors get to experience what life was like long ago during this glimpse of the past.  Over 30 demonstrations are featured, including spinning, basketry, soap making, printing press, woodcrafts, candle making and many others.

Many pioneer-era foods are featured at Heritage Days as well.  Treats include fry bread, kettle corn, fresh baked goods and bison jerky.  Samples of buffalo stew are also given out during the weekend.  A farmer’s market features pumpkins, apples, honey, preserves, maple syrup, sorghum, horseradish and much more.  Lunch options available will including sandwiches, barbecues, pork on a stick, smoked turkey legs, Indian tacos and frybread.

Featured events include Gary Froiland’s One-Man-Band and a new storyteller Pat Coffie on Saturday.  Sunday will have a pioneer church service, music from The Andregg Family, pumpkin contests, an auction, and the Iowa Championship Buffalo Chip Throwing Contest!  “Thomas” the kiddie train will also be back and many other special events and demonstrations.  Special events are as follows:

Saturday:

10am-4pm – Exhibits, buildings, welcome center open & wine tasting

10:30 – Storytelling in Old Schoolhouse

11:00 am – Butter Shake Contest and Apple cider tasting

11:30 am – Gary Froiland’s One-Man-Band

12:30 pm – Storytelling in Old Schoolhouse

1:00 pm                      – Gary Froiland’s One-Man-Band

2:00 pm                      – Storytelling in Old Schoolhouse

Sunday:

10am-4pm – Exhibits, buildings, welcome center open & wine tasting

11am – Pioneer Church Service

12:30 pm or 1:00 – Andregg Family Band

11am-1pm – KCTN “Great Pumpkin” and “Decorated Pumpkin” Contests

2pm – KCTN Pumpkin Contests winners announced by 2:00

 2pm  – Fundraising Auction

 3pm  – 40^th Iowa Championship Buffalo Chip Throwing Contest

Seeking Contest Participants for the Great Pumpkin Contest, the best decorated pumpkin contest, and for the Championship Buffalo Chip Throw.  Anyone interested in participating in any of these contests, please visit www.claytoncountyconservation.org for details or contact us at 563-245-1516.

All demonstrations and events at Heritage Days are free.  Don’t miss this opportunity to relive history!  For more information, phone (563) 245-1516 or visit www.claytoncountyconservation.org.