Tags Posts tagged with "Heritage Country Fair"

Heritage Country Fair

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By  Michael Scro

The Smithtown Historical Society presented its Heritage Country Fair on Sunday, Oct. 8, on 20 acres of preserved land within the Village of the Branch Historic District.

The afternoon featured a festive fall atmosphere of live music, children’s activities such as a petting zoo and face painting, demonstrations of spinning and blacksmithing, historical reenactments of old-time baseball and lassoing, fire trucks and army trucks, hayrides and a variety of vendors from local businesses.

The LITMA Contra Band performed lively and friendly music inside the Frank Brush Barn as attendees danced up and down the barn’s charming antique interior. Hayrides were given along the acres of property, lined with local businesses’ vendor tents selling fall decor and fall-themed treats and gifts. Local historic homes were open to the public for touring.

Demonstrations of lassoing a mock bull were set up for children to watch and practice themselves, as well as players who donned 19th-century-era baseball uniforms and equipment from those days and invited kids to join in.

Live music was also heard in other corners of the property, such as individual acoustic guitars and a three-piece band. Families were entertained with petting animals from the farm, spinning and blacksmithing demonstrations, vintage cars, face painting and painting pumpkins.

The historical society has served the Smithtown community since 1955, and the Heritage County Fair is its grandest event of the year.

The Smithtown Historical Society stepped back in time last Sunday as it presented its annual Heritage Country Fair. Attendees bought tickets for two-hour time slots, and each slot was limited to 50 people. The society adhered to COVID-19 regulations and masks and social distancing were required to take part in the day’s events.

While the historic homes on the grounds were not open for tours this year, Civil War reenactors from the 30th Virginia Infantry, 9th Virginia Historical Society and 88th New York State Volunteers Regiment along with volunteers in costumes were spread out through the property to relay a bit of history.

Alpha Axes were on hand for some ax throwing; Long Island Traditional Music Association (LITMA) performed a Contra Dance; the band Strummin’ and Drummin’ performed; the Island Long Riders put on a cowboy shooting show; Paul Henry sang and played guitar; spinning and weaving demonstrations were held by Spinning Study Group of Long Island; the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts presented a children’s performance of “Moana Jr.” and more.

Guests were also able to enjoy food from Belgiorno Family Mobile Wood Fired Pizza and Up In Smoke BBQ and visit vendor booths including Kathlyn Spins, Genie’s Treasures, League of Women Voters, Angela O’Connell Wreaths and Owl’s Feather Designs.

All photos by Rita J. Egan

The Smithtown Historical Society’s annual community wreath contest drew 17 contenders. Each wreath, made with care and donated by a community member, hung in the Frank Brush Barn for its annual Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 6 and at its Heritage Country Christmas fair on Dec. 7. Wreath winners were drawn at the end of the Christmas fair. Best in Show was awarded to Marti McMahon for her festive pointsettia wreath, second place was handed to Marie Gruick for her adorable snowman wreath and third place went to Sandy Bond for her beautiful pinecone creation. Congratulations to all the winners!

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On Sept. 22, visitors to the Smithtown Heritage Society had the opportunity to explore the organization’s grounds during its annual Heritage Country Fair.

Attendees enjoyed live music, traditional dancing, crafts, pumpkin painting, horse riding demonstrations, a petting zoo and more.

Visitors also had the opportunity to learn about fire engines and work trucks, see a blacksmith at work, climb into a DeLorean inspired by the “Back to the Future” car and explore the historic homes found on the property.