Autumn is upon us and looking to the leaves, their soon striking display is just yet a hinting indication. This time of year often evokes a strong sense of transition. With the seasons shifting into the next, progress of the period also invites us to look back and celebrate our collective history. The Vicksburg Historical Society welcomes all to the 14th Annual Harvest Festival at the Vicksburg Historic Village on September 29th. This entertainingly educational event, held from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., promises a day filled with family-friendly activities, live craft demonstrations, and a chance to step back and experience early twentieth century village life.

The Harvest Festival has become a beloved tradition in Vicksburg, drawing residents and visitors alike to the Historic Village, a charming collection of buildings that showcase the area's history. This year's festival will be no exception, offering a wide range of activities for all ages. The village buildings will be open for tours, giving guests the opportunity to explore the general store, print shop, and other historical structures that capture the essence of middle America during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era.

Lauding local agriculture is a deep value of the festival, and at the pavilion, vendors from The Farmers' Market will showcase bountiful area produce, finely crafted items, lovely baked goods, and all manner interesting curios. Come hungry, as visitors can sample an amazing variety of food trucks and stalls offering delectable treats. Children will find plenty to enjoy with pumpkin painting, old-fashioned games, and a large animal zone, while adults can browse fiber arts demonstrations or learn about the linotype machine in the print shop. The festival also offers a unique opportunity to discover more about the history of Vicksburg through guided tours and storytelling sessions led by knowledgeable volunteers.

Last year, the pumpkin decorating contest was expanded to allow teens and adults to compete, and this year will continue that. Ahead of the event, children aged 5 to 12, teenagers, and adults can enter a pumpkin decorating competition for prestige and prizes. This contest requires entries to be delivered to the Depot Museum on Saturday, Sept. 28 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Applications for the pumpkin decorating contest will be available online at vicksburghistory.org and at the Depot Museum on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in September.

Generous Hands and South County Community Services will have lots of little gourds to be festooned in stickers, markers, and imagination. While children decorate, they can also engage in locally made games for fun and treats. The Vicksburg Cultural Arts Center will once again have a creation station inspiring artistic endeavors in all ages. As always, a secret word and picture search will get the kids scrambling all over the Historic Village seeking clues to solve an omitted phrase. At the headquarters tent, attendees can submit guesses of a homegrown pumpkin's weight and throughout the grounds they can participate in a 50/50 raffle.

This year, the Harvest Festival will feature some new attractions like fun photo opportunities to pop your head though and immortalize the day. We'll also have returning favorites like horse-drawn hay wagon rides, woodturning demonstrations, face painting, and all sorts of neat animals to pet and appreciate. The Vicksburg Historical Society's 1931 Ford Model A will be available to ferry folks on short rides. All along the gravel path, visitors will be able to see antique tractors and farm machinery up close.

All the buildings in the Historic Village, many that have been relocated and restored, will be open for tours. Friendly and knowledge guides will be in each to explain the history of the print shop, general store, Doris Lee Sweet Shop, schoolhouse, township hall, garage, and farmhouse. The Vicksburg Historical Society and Historic Village are open during the fall on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. for researching and viewing the collection of artifacts at the Depot Museum and on the grounds. The Harvest Festival is organized by the Vicksburg Historical Society, and we look forward to welcoming all, rain or shine, on the last Sunday in September.