From Plymouths to pioneers, experience our past at Heritage Fair
The McHenry County Historical Society & Museum will host its 31st annual Heritage Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at the museum, 6422 Main St., Union
In accordance with this year's theme, "Wheeling Through History," the fair will feature an afternoon appearance by high-wheel bikers, the Illinois Wheelmen, as well as an exhibit of vintage bicycles and, as in the past, a free classic car show along Main Street.
The antique car show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the White Elephant Sale at 9 a.m. The antique auction with auctioneer Russ Davis will be at 10:30 a.m. At noon and 3 p.m., American Quilters Society certified quilt appraiser, artist, and teacher Sandy Schweitzer of Crystal Lake will demonstrate a quilt bed turning featuring patriotic quilts reflecting red, white and blue, election slogans, or past presidents during this important election year.
New this year is a children's "pioneer" discovery area from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where kids can get some hands-on experience making rag dolls and corn-husk whisk brooms, washing and ringing out clothes, and other frontier chores.
Freddy Fredericks and other magicians will stroll the grounds throughout the day, with a special performance at 2 p.m. on the auditorium stage. Music will be provided by the Clef Hangers barbershop quartet. "The James" mobile museum's latest exhibit on World War I, "McHenry County Enlists: The Great War," will be open.
The White Elephant Sale, featuring antique books, vintage clothing, garden plants and other one-of-a-kind items, will be open throughout the day.
Food, including homemade baked goods, are available for sale, including pies entered in the society's celebrated Heritage Fair pie-baking contest. This year's contest features three categories: fruit, berry and open class. No cream pies can be entered.
Interested bakers can register their pies between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. the day of the Heritage Fair in the West Harmony School, on the museum grounds. The entry fee is $2. Judging will take place at 10:30 a.m. with ribbons awarded to the winners in each category. The grand champion will receive a trophy and his/her name engraved on a permanent trophy at the museum.
Pies will be sold by the slice immediately after the judging at the Heritage Fair's bake sale with the exception of the grand prize pie which will be sold via silent auction that day. All money raised will benefit the McHenry County Historical Society. For information, call (815) 923-2267 or email info@mchenrycountyhistory.org. Visit mchenrycountyhistory.org.
The Heritage Fair Car Show, sponsored by Intren and FirstMerit Bank of Union, will feature sports, classic and antique cars. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 10, in downtown Union and is part of the society's 31st annual Heritage Fair festival. The free show features trophies for the top 20 cars, as well as best of show and a one-of-a-kind "people's choice" trophy awarded to the best "survivor" (unrestored) car.
DJ Jose Ramos will be spinning "oldies." Vintage cars are being sought for the free show. For information call Tony at TJ's Klassics, (847) 515-8110.