Wayne Day promotes history, story

The annual Wayne Day on Saturday will have the standard pig roast, kite flying and bonfire, along with some parts of a traveling exhibit from a foundation that promotes author Marguerite Henry and her horse, Misty, which inspired many a generations of young riders in the village and beyond.

The late Henry, a former Wayne resident who moved to California in the 1970s, was a popular author and wrote a book, “Misty of Chincoteague.”

The 1947 book about a family's struggle to raise a pony born to a wild mother won the Newberry Award and was made into a film in 1961. Misty lived in Wayne until 1957.

The Misty of Chincoteague Foundation is considering donating its collection of Marguerite Henry and Misty photos and memorabilia to Wayne's Historical Preservation Society.

When Wayne Day kicks off at 3 p.m. at Dunham field on the south side of Army Trail Road just east of Dunham Road, organizers will have a sampling of pictures of Henry from the foundation's collection.

“Every little girl that rides a pony knows of Misty. It's a sweet, sweet story,” said Karen Armbrust, president of the Wayne Historical Preservation Society. “People in Wayne knew Misty. They've rode her. They've seen her.”

The afternoon also will spotlight Misty's Meadow at the corner of Army Trail and Dunham roads, an area planted and cared for by a Wayne couple.

Foundation president Peter Stone also will show a movie in which Henry explains the work that goes into writing a book.

Artwork by Henry's illustrator, Wesley Dennis, also will be on display.

The day also includes a pig roast, kite flying, booths from community groups, live music and a bonfire at dusk. The village underwrites the event and the historical preservation society organizes it.

“People leave when they feel like it. We stay until we have to put the fire out,” Armbrust said.

For more information, call (630) 377-1876.