Echoes of a once bustling 19th-century industrial community will stir again on Michigan's Garden Peninsula as Fayette Historic State Park hosts its 23rd annual Fayette Heritage Day, Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Fayette is located in Delta County, on the shore of Lake Michigan, between Escanaba and Manistique.                  

This annual living-history event observes Fayette's rich social and industrial heritage through costumed interpretation, 19th-century crafts, period music, and a variety of the era's children's games and sporting competitions.  The event kicks off at 11 a.m. with the Escanaba City Band performing a community band concert. 

"As the summer season begins to wind down, and before kids head back to school, Fayette Heritage Day offers a fun, family-friendly event that won't break the bank.  The entertainment, horse and wagon rides, and children's 19th-century activities are free of charge," said Brenda Laakso, site historian at Fayette Historic State Park.  "Fayette offers a pristine setting for our 19th-century themed event where visitors can also tour the historical buildings and learn about the site's industrial past."

Fayette Heritage Day's participants include folk singer-song writer Carl "Bearfoot" Behrend, bringing stories and legends of the Great Lakes to life.  The final musical entertainment of the day, accomplished banjo player Tim Twiss will captivate the audience with his performance of authentic 19th-century minstrel music.

Throughout the day, visitors can observe skilled artisans at work, demonstrating blacksmithing, quilting and spin-weaving crafts.  Additional ongoing activities will include a 19th-century lighting display, free horse and wagon rides, a food tent sponsored by the Bay de Noc High School Booster Club, and a bake sale. 

Children of all ages can enjoy a watermelon-eating contest, sack races, three-legged races, lawn croquet, and 19th-century reproduction toys.  Later, guests will be treated to an old-time "base ball" game fielded by the Fayette team; the public is invited to participate.  Game play will follow 1880s rules, meaning players will use no gloves and a bell will ring up each run.

Scheduled activities include:

• 11 a.m.:  An hour-long performance by the Escanaba City Band
• 12:30 p.m.:  Children's watermelon-eating contest (open to the public)
• 1 p.m.:  Folk singer-song writer Carl "Bearfoot" Behrend bringing legends of the Great Lakes to Life
• 2:30 p.m.:  Early 19th-century banjo music performed by Tim Twiss
• 3:30 p.m.:  "Base ball"- 1880s style!  Fayette team vs. all-comers - ages 13 and up welcome to participate

Fayette is one of the nation's premier examples of a 19th-century industrial community and company town.  In operation from 1867 to 1891, its furnaces produced over 229,000 tons of pig iron to become the second largest producer of charcoal iron in Michigan. 

Today, 20 buildings are preserved, including the furnace complex, hotel, town hall, company office, and several residences.  Eleven buildings contain exhibits and are open to the public, including a modern visitor center with a scale model of the townsite as it looked in the 1880s. 

Fayette Historic Townsite is administered by the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries' Michigan Historical Center in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources' Parks and Recreation Division.  The museum village is open daily, 9 a.m. to dusk through Labor Day and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Labor Day through mid-October.  Admission is by Michigan state park permit.  For information call (906) 644-2711 or visit the museum's Web site at www.michigan.gov/fayettetownsite.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) is dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity.  In addition to the Michigan Historical Center, HAL includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.  To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.