‘Working Earth Days’ will return to Bishop Hill on September 24-25 as the historic Swedish community celebrates its 50th Jordbruksdagarna with demonstrations, hands-on activities and music.
Artisans based in the village park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days will include ropemakers, wood carvers, blacksmiths, linen processors and butter makers. Vendors will sell pumpkins and other farm produce, pioneer popcorn, baked goods, soap, crafts and other items.
A petting zoo will also be set up in the park.
The musical group Hammer and Pick will perform at noon and 2 p.m., while Nordic dancers will perform at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day at the park’s gazebo.
Old-fashioned children’s games will be at 2 p.m. each day in the park.
Activities will also extend beyond the park to the rest of Bishop Hill.
The Bishop Hill Heritage Association will be selling garlands and fall nachos both days at the Colony store. The Old Settlers’ Association will sell its Colony Stew at the Colony School, and Uncle Bud Apple Cider Slushies will be sold next to the Carpenter Building.
Brick making, corn shelling, cider pressing, sorghum pressing and corn husk doll making will be available as hands-on activities from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days at the Bjorklund Hotel .
The Henry County Historical Museum will also be open, with a variety of antique tractors and implements on display outside.
Members of the Bishop Hill Agricultural Association will demonstrate corn picking at 11 a.m. at the museum, followed at noon by a parade of antique tractors through town, a children’s pedal tractor at 12:30 p.m. corn shelling at 1 p.m.
The association will also harvest canola at 1 p.m. each day at the Albert Krans Livery Stable Museum.
Some activities during the weekend have a limited window.
Swedish singer-songwriter Johan Johansson will perform songs about Swedish history beginning at 10 a.m. on September 24 at the Steeple Building Museum. The free concert will be followed at 11 a.m. by the BHHA acting troupe performing a show on the history of Bishop Hill.
Author Lilly Setterdahl will also be signing copies of her book “Until the Lights Come Back” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. September 24 on the porch of the Steeple Building.
Bishop Hill Methodist Church will be holding a bake sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 24 near the Steeple building.
On September 25, a community religious service will be held at 10 a.m. in the village park.
For more information, call 309-927-3899, email [email protected], check out the Bishop Hill Heritage Association Facebook page, or visit visitbishophill.com.
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