'Unwind Like It's 1899' at 32nd annual Heritage Fair July 9
The McHenry County Historical Society & Museum will host its 32nd Annual Heritage Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 9, at the museum, 6422 Main St. in Union.
This year's theme, "Unwind Like It's 1899," reflects the society's new exhibit - "Waterways and Getaways: Resort Life in McHenry County."
View historic photos, experience a re-created hotel lobby, learn about early boat manufacturers in McHenry County, and breathe in the perfume of lotus flowers that once covered much of Grass Lake.
Exhibition tours will be at noon and 3 p.m. Register at the front admission desk.
Highlights include an antique car show and white elephant sale, both starting at 9 a.m. Registration for the celebrated pie-baking contest runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed immediately by an antique auction with auctioneer Russ Davis.
Items range from an a turn-of-century roll-top desk to an Edison Victrola; an oak church pew to military memorabilia. Arrive early to view items and register.
An expanded lineup of children's activities also are a part of this year's festival.
In addition to the "Pioneer Discovery" area from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the popular magic show on stage at 2:30 p.m., puppeteer Dave Herzog will bring Captain Cranky and his mates to the stage starting at 1 p.m.
Dave Herzog's Marionettes is a full-time professional puppet company dedicated to preserving the uniquely American art form of the marionette variety show. Not only does he perform some 375 shows a year, he also creates all of the hand-carved marionettes he uses.
Music will be provided by the Clef Hangers barbershop quartet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and by DJ Jose Ramos, who will be spinning "oldies" during the vintage car show. 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.
"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 - included pies entered in Society's celebrated Heritage Fair pie-baking contest.
This year's contest features three categories: Fruit, berry and mixed fruit/other. No cream pies, please. 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, located on the museum grounds. The entry fee is $2. Ribbons will be awarded to the winners in each category, plus a special award for the grand champion.
Pies will be sold by the slice immediately following the judging at the Heritage Fair's bake sale with the exception of the grand prize winning pie which will be auctioned off. The grand champion will receive a trophy and his/her name engraved on a permanent trophy at the museum.
In addition to free admission to the museum, perks include a silent auction, book sale, bake sale and variety of food vendors selling lemon shake-ups, brats, hamburgers, kettle corn and pretzels. Parking is available on side streets and in the lot alongside the tracks. For information, visit www.gothistory.org.