Smithville’s Pioneer Family Activity Day is Aug. 17

Residents of Smithville are more than familiar with Pioneer Village. The collection of buildings on North Milton Street, just off Main Street, is all about history but very much a static part of every moment of the town’s present.

A few times a year, though, the village comes to life, thanks to the efforts of the Smithville Community Historical Society. The next of those takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17 when the society hosts Pioneer Family Activity Day.

It is the fourth in a series of nine events to be held this year at the Pioneer Village, in which all buildings will be open.

For those unfamiliar, who have not been there or who never turn their head to the side while driving down state Route 585, the Pioneer Village is a collection of historical-style buildings meant to offer a glimpse into the past. As its name suggests, the village simulates the lives and times of pioneers and early settlers. What you may have seen in the 1800s, you can see there now.

“We’ll have live demos; we normally do the blacksmith, the tinsmith, wood carving, butter making,” said Matt Reese, the historical society’s publicity coordinator. “We have the live weaving on the 1800s looms.

“For the Family Day, there’s going to be classic games like croquet and cornhole, and walking on stilts. There’s also going to be a display at the Pullman dining car at the Depot. They’ll have samples of dining car food. People can go up in all the buildings and they’ll all be open to tour.”

Each month from May through December, the village has an activity planned. All are free to the public, but Reese said donations are appreciated because the historical society is a nonprofit.

All the various goings-on are staffed by volunteers. Reese estimates that somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 and 40 folks will be on hand helping out with the Family Activity Day. Reese said the society is grateful and fortunate to have so many willing to lend a hand.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “Part of it is, there is so much going on. The weaving alone, there’s maybe seven or eight women helping with that, a couple of men, too. We have 13 buildings in all. You have a volunteer host for each one of those buildings, plus all the demonstrations. It’s a lot of work.”

Reese pointed to the upcoming Harvest Fest (Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) as another that will call for several dozen volunteers. He said the crew doesn’t see many changes from one event to the next.

“There will be lots of harvest-era activities going on at that one,” he said. “Again, we’ll probably have 35-40 volunteers. It’s pretty much the same people. We’ll switch up a little off and on. We’re always recruiting new people. There’s always something going on. It’s a very active historical society.”

Later events that will call for all hands on deck include the trick-or-treat/Halloween in Pioneer Village (Oct. 25, 4-6 p.m.) and Christmas in Pioneer Village/Mishler Mill (Dec. 6, 4:30-7:30 p.m.)

“We have a lot of volunteers for those,” Reese said. “We try to make it an enjoyable experience.”

The events in the village will go on, rain or shine. Most are impervious to rain, with activities taking place inside the various buildings. Reese said inclement weather should not discourage anyone from coming.

At the same time, it’s better if it’s nice out.

“It depends on the event,” he said. “We just had the car show, and luckily it didn’t slow it down. That’s the one good thing; all the buildings are still open. We still have a lot of people touring the buildings and still have all the food vendors there. You’re not just walking into a building where nobody’s doing anything.”

Reese said that at most events, folks will be dressed in character, but not all of them. Some newcomers don’t yet have the traditional garb. He said they are the minority, though, as the 1800s-style garments are passed down from one volunteer to the next.

Still on the calendar for those who can’t make the Family Activity Day but want a little taste of history are Native American Day from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21 — with demonstrations, food, music and more — and Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with vendors, apple butter making, corn grinding, food, music and more.

Later in the fall the village will host trick-or-treat from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, coinciding with the Smithville Village trick-or-treat; the Thanksgiving Hymn Sing on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Church of God in Smithville; and Christmas in the Village from 3:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. On that day, there will be music, marshmallow roasting, a kids wagon ride, crafts and Santa will greet guests.

Don’t forget Smithville’s Food Truck Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m. each week at 180 E. Main St., next to the post office. Upcoming are Rollin’ with the SEO (Aug. 13), Holy Lederhosen (Aug. 20), 444 Hibachi Grill (Aug. 27) and Dough Pros Pizza (Sept. 3). There will be no food truck on fair week (Sept. 10). Check the Smithville Community Historical Society’s Facebook page for a full list.

Held earlier this year were Artisans Day, featuring work and demonstrations by various craftsmen; Civil War History Day and Civil War Encampment at Mishler Mill; and the Classic Car and Antique Car Display/Open House.

The Smithville Community Historical Society is a nonprofit established in 1990. For more information, contact schsmill@gmail.com.