CENTERBURG – This year will mark the 25th year for the Oldtime Farming Festival to celebrate the history of agriculture and its heritage in central Ohio. The members and volunteers of the Oldtime Farming Festival work diligently throughout the year in order to prepare Centerburg Community Memorial Park into a working example of what farming and agriculture was like 50 to more than 100 years ago. One way to remember the past is by recalling and recreating activities common in daily life as it was lived by families that came to the area, beginning in the early 1800s. With that in mind, the festival organizers have invited a variety of individuals and groups to demonstrate crafts and activities which exhibit some facets of the area’s history. It is their goal to make an educational atmosphere available to festival goers.
The weekend events get started each year with a parade down Main Street in Centerburg that begins at 10:00 on Saturday morning, September 17th. This year the Festival will be on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 18, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Various demonstrations and events will be continuous throughout the weekend and some will happen as time and manpower permit.
The aroma of soup beans being prepared over an open fire in a cast iron kettle will encourage you to try a bowl, and watching the hard work that goes with squeezing fresh apples into apple cider will tempt you to enjoy a cup of cider. Watching the threshing equipment and the volunteers that bring their machinery each year to demonstrate the hard work our farmers of the past put into getting the grain harvested each year will help you appreciate that slice of bread.
There will be horsedrawn wagon rides that will take you around the park to help give you a sense of early pioneer travel throughout central Ohio and beyond. The Centerburg FFA will provide a variety of farm animals to observe and pet.
Sheep were an important source of fiber and income for Knox County at one time, and still are today, but many people raise alpacas for this same purpose. The Grondalskis will have a few of their alpacas on display during the weekend.
Early settlers and the native Indians came to the Flint Ridge area in Licking County for the endless supply of flint that was used in making tools and weapons. Watch as Ed Moreland demonstrates the art of shaping rough pieces of flint into arrowheads and other shapes for primitive tools.
On Saturday only, Pete Snellman will demonstrate making a variety of brooms the old-fashioned way with equipment that dates back to the Civil War era. It¹s fun to watch and ask questions.
There will be a small farmer’s market with fresh fruits and vegetables that the Collins family sets up each year. There is maple syrup available, also.
Hand-forged iron items with a blacksmith furnace over coal and fire will happen throughout the weekend. Jan Tiffany will be pedaling away with her scroll saw making small, intricate cutouts to share with the kids.
Chain saw carving happens throughout the weekend. Watch as various chunks of rough wood become beautiful pieces of sculpted animals and furniture.
The Oldtime Farming Festival would not be complete without the men and women that bring their old tractors, trucks and farm equipment that have been restored or preserved for the public to see and admire. You can compare the old equipment with the new and modern equipment that will be on display just to compare the size and convenience of today¹s machinery.
The members of C.O.R.K.S. (Remote Control Airplanes) will share their display of working model airplanes which includes some hands-on opportunities.
In 2015, we had our first FFA challenge between Highland High School and Centerburg High School. It took place on Sunday afternoon with a straw stacking contest, large hay rolls being pushed a distance, and a large straw bale race. All the events were timed to determine the winner, with Highland FFA taking the honors. This year we will expand a little with the events and hope to attract a few more schools into the friendly competition.
The Oldtime Farming Festival has been a part of Centerburg for 25 years. You can help celebrate their silver anniversary by enjoying a relaxing weekend doing something old fashioned.
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