VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– It was a weekend months in the making at Fowler Park, according to Amber Kerr.
“We spend the whole year preparing for this weekend,” she said.
Kerr, who has been involved in Pioneer Days for over 30 years, was satisfied with the turnout for their 50th anniversary, which took place on Saturday and Sunday.
“We are trying to keep history alive for people,” she said. “So we love to see all the people come out and enjoy our village, because we love it and we want everybody to love it.”
Dozens of volunteers dedicate themselves to giving visitors a first-hand look at Hoosier history and what life was like in the 1800’s. Some demonstrations included how to make rope, blacksmithing and using handmade tools.
Sean Sluyter, the natural resources programmer for the Vigo County parks and recreation department, said it was a great educational resource for families in the area.
“It’s a great opportunity to get people outside,” he said. “It’s also a great opportunity to get people to learn about Indiana history, learn about the U.S. history, learn about pioneers and early settlers, what they went through and what kind of life they might have lived.”
All cabins were open to the viewing public, and some also sold some of their traditional crafts and tools. Sluyter said his favorite part was watching the volunteers work with children.
“Just the interaction with the kids. Getting the kids out and seeing some of the skills, we’ve got a couple of kids in the blacksmith shop, working with our blacksmiths as young apprentices for the day and just having a great time,” he said.
Sluyter said the park host an after dark event on Oct. 28th, and that the cabins will again be open for a Christmas-themed event the first weekend in December.
