Bensenville celebrates Heritage Day

Time travel, it seems, is hot.

Look up and down your fall TV schedule and you see all sorts of shows in which people are racing back and forth in time to witness the crash of the Hindenburg or assorted other earth-shattering events.

But while those shows almost always involve flashing lights and lots of noise, folks in Bensenville found an easier - and less gaudy - way to ease back a century or so on Saturday during the park district's annual Heritage Day celebration.

The free event at Fischer Farm gave visitors a chance to see volunteers making candles, spinning and weaving, and even braiding some rugs.

For the more adventurous, there were demonstrations by the Fort Dearborn Militia and Taylor's Battery Reenactors, complete with the firing of a cannon every hour.

The party gave kids a chance to paint some pumpkins and ride a pony, mom and dad the chance to check out the arts and crafts fair, and everyone the opportunity to enjoy the music of the Bourbon Aristocracy Bluegrass Band.

"It should be fun for the whole family," said Jonathan Sebastian, museum supervisor. "You can tour the historical buildings, meet the re-enactors and hopefully learn a little bit while you're having fun."

New this year, the Yesteryear Sweet Stand displayed old-time candy, pop favorites from the past, and fresh honey from the bees at Fischer Farm.