Society celebrates ‘heritage’ Saturday

Heritage Day is this Saturday on the front lawn of the Masterson House, and Port William Historical Society President Ben Collett said it will be bigger and better than ever, with more activities, vendors and period demonstrations.

The ultimate goal is for the event to be more of a community fall festival, Collett said Tuesday, and to become one of the organization’s major annual fund-raisers.

This year, crafts and antiques vendors from throughout the area will be plying their wares, and Collett said he and others will have historic artifacts featuring local history on display.

Adding to the fall festival atmosphere will be a pie-eating contest, planned for 3 p.m., and a pumpkin-carving contest at 5 p.m., Collett said.

The Junior Historical Society will display period crafts and demonstrate games played by children in the old days. Suzanne Rine of Madison, Ind., will demonstrate the art of spinning; Donna Weaver will display her wax portraits; and Extension agent Grace Angotti returns to demonstrate the art of churning butter.

The highlight of the day will be the noon unveiling of the first bottle of a new wine produced by River Valley Winery, especially for the historical society. Collett said specifics about the limited-edition wine are being kept under wraps, but this will be the first of a series of labels depicting drawings of historic homes and landmarks in Carroll County – starting with the Masterson House.

Only 500 bottles of the wine have been produced as a fund-raiser for the historical society. The wine will be sold for $15.95 per bottle, with $3 per bottle donated to the historical society.

Other groups and individuals participating in Saturday’s event will be the Pioneer Power Tractor Club, Paragon Dance Studio, the River View Farmers Market, and Artful Gifts owner Dina Marshall, who will demonstrate how to cane chairs.

For more information on the event or on the Port William Historical Society, call Collett at (502) 525-4085.