2018 Autumn Pioneer Festival in Belvidere Illinois
The 37th Annual Autumn Pioneer Festival on September 21-23, 2018, at the Roger Gustafson Nature Center and Festival Grounds in Belvidere Illinois lets you experience aspects of life as it was from the 1700s to early 1800s.
Travel back to the 1800’s in Illinois and learn about the lifestyles and crafts of the day. Learn about Illinois from its time as the Northwest Territory, then Illinois Territory and finally statehood. Explore a wigwam in the Native American area to learn about tribes that inhabited Northern Illinois, visit two authentic 1800’s log cabins and a one room schoolhouse.
Talk to voyageurs, buckskinners and settlers. Watch a blacksmith working at his forge. Enjoy the sights as you tour the grounds on a horse drawn wagon. Learn to throw a tomahawk, use a cross cut saw and play old time games. Listen to live music featuring popular songs of the 1800’s. Sample apple butter cooked over an open fire. Food vendor offerings include prairie chicken, pioneer fries, buffalo stew, pie and ice cream, doughnuts, popcorn, old fashioned root beer and lemonade.
A special Presentation to celebrate the bicentennial of Illinois statehood will include “An evening with the Lincolns” on Friday from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Spencer Park Pavilion. Join Mary Todd Lincoln as she reminisces on Illinois in the 1840s and her husband’s first appointment in Washington City. Mr. Lincoln will look back on his life in Illinois and Washington.
These are just a few of the many fun activities offered at the annual Autumn Pioneer Festivall.
Admission is free. Donations cheerfully accepted.
Hours:
Friday 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – An evening with the Lincolns
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location:
Roger Gustafson Nature Center and Festival Grounds
603 N Appleton Road
Belvidere, IL 61008
More Information:
Boone County Conservation District
(815) 547-7935
603 N. Appleton Road
Belvidere, IL 61008
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Autumn Pioneer Festival at the Roger Gustafson Nature Center and Festival Grounds in Belvidere IL.
Tags: Autumn Pioneer Festival, Belvidere Illinois Autumn Pioneer Festival, Illinois Pioneer Festival