The Glengarry Pioneer Museum’s Harvest Fall Festival returns for its 18th edition on Sunday, September 10.
This year’s festival will have a special focus on Canada’s 150th birthday. In honour of the occasion, attendees are encouraged to design an inukshuk entirely out of fruit and vegetables. The creations will be judged at the Harvest Tent at 2 p.m., with prizes to be awarded to the winners.
The festival will also celebrate the history of the Ferguson Threshing Mill which was designed, built, and sold in nearby Maxville.
Attendees will be able to discover how Glengarry’s early settlers lived and worked. Exhibitions will display how the settlers made butter, ice cream, harnesses and saddles, leather boots, as well as how they spun and weaved thread, how they quilted, and how they made rugs. At least 25 artisans will be there demonstrating the techniques. In addition, there will be exhibitions of artifacts and stories from the Native peoples who lived in the area.
Other displays for this year’s event will include exhibitions on heritage livestock through the Heritage Livestock Club of Eastern Ontario. The display, organized by Laurie Maus from Dunvegan and her group, will focus on educating the public about heritage breeds and also offer connection for those interested in buying local, organic meat. They will have Tunis ewes and a Silver Grey Dorking Rooster on hand as well as several different fleeces from carious heritage breeds.
Visitors will also be able to witness a horse-drawn wagon and carriage parade led by the Quigley Highlanders Pipe Band at 1 p.m.. This parade showcases the horses as well as the various devices that were traditionally drawn by the horses.
Once again, the Harvest Tent will feature home-baked goods, plants, produce, and much more. The museum is putting out a special call for donations of preserves, local produce, baked goods, bread, and plants.
“It’s a chance for members of the community to share preparations from their old family recipes and to bring their heritage plants for the gardens of others,” says Barb Newman, the Harvest Tent coordinator. The harvest tent is a very special feature of the Festival and is another way to raise funds for the museum.
Visitors with a flair for fashion are invited to come dressed in 19th century period attire. There will music
by several local groups including Leo Paquette & Family, Taylor Millage, Grace Graham, The Gaelic Choir, the Caddell Family, and Doug MacPherson & Co.
Should attendees find themselves in need of some nourishment as they take in the activities of both events, the
Dunvegan Recreation Association will be serving sausages, desserts, chips, drinks, and other foods for purchase.
Admission is $10, with kids under 12 free, or $25 for families. If you are a member of the museum, admission is only $5.
This year’s festival is co-sponsored by The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group, Caisse Populaire de la Vallée, Alexandria, and many other local businesses.
The Glengarry Pioneer Museum is located in Dunvegan, Ontario on County Road 24 (Dunvegan Road) at the crossroads of County Road 30 (Greenfield Road). Parking is available on the road, or nearby in the Presbyterian Church parking lot. Accessible parking is also available.
For more information, please contact Museum curator, Jennifer Black by phone at 613-527-5230, by email at [email protected], or at the museum website at www.glengarrypioneermuseum.ca.
