McHenry historical society to host annual Heritage Fair

The McHenry County Historical Society presents its 25th annual Heritage Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 12 at the museum, 6422 Main St. in Union. The theme this year is "Meet Me at the Fair!" The red Schuette Building has been transformed into a bargain-hunter's paradise. Inside can be found a white-elephant sale along with a Vintage White Elephant sale for older items. A Thomas the Tank Collection will be available for sale. There will be a wide variety of hardcover and paperback used books. The vintage clothing sale features clothing from the late 1800s through the 1970s, including military uniforms. Yards and gardens can be enhanced with plants and decorative items from the Garden Glitz. Perhaps some items will end up on "Antiques Roadshow."

On stage in the museum at 11 a.m. is Marilyn Price's "Wonderful Whirl of Puppets." Price weaves a finely-crafted performance with storytelling, puppetry, and wisdom from traditional folk tales to original works for audiences of all ages. Her puppets art forms in themselves. She often amazes audiences by animating common objects.

At 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., the popular Clef Hangers Barbershop Quartet will perform.

The Magic Comedy of Freddy Fredricks will be on stage at 2 p.m. Fredricks has been a delightful part of Heritage Fair for a number of years.

Also a pie-baking contest will be held in the one-room school house on the museum grounds. To enter the contest, bakers must have their pies registered starting at 10 a.m. and pay a $1 fee. Submit your favorite cherry, apple or other fruit pie; no cream pies. Judging will take place at 11 a.m. The winners in cherry, apple, or open class fruit pie category will receive a ribbon and grand prize winner will receive a gift certificate from a county restaurant. The winning grand prize pie will be auctioned off and the other pies will be sold by the slice immediately after the judging. For information, call (815) 923-2267 or visit www.mchsonline.org.