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A Plethora of
Pioneer Demonstrations at Prairie Days
This year’s Prairie Days festival will once again have an abundance of
demonstrations of pioneer skills and trades. The lineup for this year
includes staples of the frontier like basket weaving, lye soap making,
children’s toy woodworking, chair caning, brain tanning, and hide
stretching. There are also historical demonstrations of a slightly more
modern persuasion like a mechanical corn shredder; wood burning,
carving, and painting gourds; flute making; and cleaning alpaca fleece.
These demonstrations will be scattered throughout the grounds during
the weekend.
The 2015 will feature two new demonstrations. First volunteers will be
demonstrating how pioneers would have made homemade bread in the
outdoor bake oven, also known as the cob oven. Volunteers will build a
fire in the oven to heat it, then remove the coals and sprinkle
cornmeal on the oven surface to prevent sticking. The bread dough,
cookies, or any other baked goods can then be prepared before the oven
cools down again. The public will have the opportunity to try samples
of white bread, wheat bread, or ginger molasses cookies all prepared in
the oven at Shawnee Prairie. The full loaves of bread and cookies will
be available for a donation during Prairie Days in the General Store.
Also new this year are the sorghum pressing and boiling demonstrations.
Journey to the top of the hill to witness stalks of sorghum grown in
Darke County pressed to release their sweet juice. After capturing the
sweet liquid from pressing the stalks, volunteers will boil it down
similarly to making maple syrup. The processed sorghum, also known as
sorghum molasses, will be available for a donation while supplies last.
Near the sugar shack, Tom Franklin will give an interpretation of David
Conner, pioneer fur trader and Indian agent, and he will also have a
cross cut saw demonstration. Finally the historical encampment will
feature a muzzleloader display in the lean-to including firearms from
the 1790s through the early 19th century.
Come explore all these demonstrations, talk with the historical
interpreters, and enjoy all the other fun, educational, and family
friendly activities at the 2015 Prairie Days festival, September 26th
from 10am to 5pm and September 27th from 12pm to 5pm. The event has
plenty of free parking and free admission. For questions or more
information, call the Nature Center at (937) 548-0165.
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