Heritage Fair brings old-fashioned fun to McHenry County

Posted July 02, 2018 11:00 pm

Submitted by McHenry County Historical Society and Museum

Volunteer and Garden Glitz co-chairwoman Deb Silker makes a sale. This year's Garden Glitz donors include Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery & Garden Center, Hoffie Nursery, Hubb's Greenhouse, Kolze Corner Gardens, The Barn, The Growing Scene and Tom's Market. Courtesy of McHenry County Historical Society and Museum

The McHenry County Historical Society and Museum will host its 33rd Annual Heritage Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 8, at the museum, 6422 Main St., Union.

This year's theme, "Illinois Patriotic Pride," reflects the state's bicentennial. Highlights include an appearance by President Lincoln, starting at 10:30 a.m. when "Honest Abe" judges the pie-baking contest. Other activities include an antique car show and white elephant sale, both starting at 9 a.m., and an antique auction starting at 10:30 a.m. Items include a rare physiology/biology kit, a clay pigeon launcher, a wine tasting at Lynfred Winery in Roselle, and a 1955 Schwinn bicycle. Arrive early to view items and register.

Children's activities also are a part of the festival. In addition to the pioneer discovery area from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the popular magic show returns at 2 p.m. to the museum stage. Music will be provided by the Clef Hangers barbershop quartet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and DJ Jose Ramos will spin oldies during the vintage car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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 exhibit on World War I, "McHenry County Enlists: The Great War," will be open. The war ended nearly a century ago on Nov. 11, 1918.

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, will be available for purchase, including pies entered in the 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, 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 - as well as the addition of wood-fired pizzas from Your Sister's Tomato and ribs from Duke's Blue-n-BBQ. Parking in front of the museum is being reserved for classic cars. Visitors can park on side streets. For additional information, visit www.gothistory.org or call (815) 923-2267.

Intern Emma Cieslek shows a young visitor how they washed clothes in the old days. Courtesy of McHenry County Historical Society and Museum

This 1941 Chevy coupe, the People's Choice winner owned by Jack Mainiero of Huntley, was among the cars entered in the 2017 Heritage Fair car show. Courtesy of McHenry County Historical Society and Museum

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