Published: October 04, 2007 06:02 pm         

Pioneer Days at Fowler Park this weekend

TERRE HAUTE — Pioneer Days will take place at Fowler Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Vigo County Park and Recreation Department invites the public to join staff and volunteers in celebrating the festival.

Pioneer Days originated in 1973 when the pioneer village consisted of only one log cabin and the covered bridge. Now, 34 years later, the village has grown to 14 log cabins, a log barn, smokehouse and grist mill. In the past month, the foundation of a 15th cabin was laid.

More than 150 pioneer village folk and volunteers relive the 1840s performing everyday tasks and activities using the same methods and tools used long ago. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions, participate in the hands-on activities, and sample “what’s cooking.”

Located among the cabins are visiting old-fashioned crafters who both demonstrate and sell their crafts. To the west of the grist mill, Civil War Re-enactors have an encampment and can be seen periodically practicing their drills. On the south side of the covered bridge, east of the shelter, are the food vendors and, west of the shelter, the Traders Market with handcrafted and other unique items. Local artists roam and work in any place of their choosing.

Baked goods and handcrafted items are auctioned at the covered wagon site by the Village Folk at 2 p.m. on both days. Crafts, gifts and artwork are for sale throughout the park and the gift shop. Wagon rides are available for a small fee. Church services are conducted in the log church at 9 a.m. Sunday.

Featured entertainment this year is Bruce Borders performing “A Tribute to Elvis.” He will sing at Shelter A from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Borders is nationally known for his impersonation of Elvis Presley and is donating his time for the Park Department’s benefit. Shelter A is on the south side of the covered bridge.

Parking is $2. Fowler Park is south of Terre Haute off U.S. 41. For more information, call (812) 462-3392.