Beautiful weather, lasting traditions and plenty of pioneer-farm activities awaited visitors to the recent Buckley Homestead Fall Festival, an annual two-day event in Lowell
“We usually come both days, there’s so much to do. But we weren’t able to make it yesterday,” said Latisha Brown of Merrillville, one of the first in line on the second day. “I love this as much as my three kids, so we make a day of it. We all go home with so much knowledge of a different way of living.”
Thousands of weekend visitors agreed with Brown, as they participated in hands-on demonstrations such as candle dipping and rope making. Visitors also learned to fashion a cornhusk dolls and make a wool ball. Wood crafters, a china painter, spinners, quilters and weavers also demonstrated their skills
“This has been my favorite thing today,” said Theadora Burt, 13, of Lake Station, as she pulled a miniature cornhusk doll out of her pocket. “It wasn’t hard at all to make.”
Theadora and her mom, Teddi, also patiently waited in the large line of people carrying a thin string to be dipped in a pot of boiling wax.
Since it takes numerous dips to make a reasonably thick candle, participants continue to circle the pot, passing by numerous times. “This takes a lot of patience,” Teddi Burt said with a laugh.
In the old school house, re-enactors discussed pioneer days and what was expected of the children. Storytelling also was presented by a teacher in a long colonial dress, with children paying rapt attention.
“The kids have never see a schoolhouse like this,” Kim Osborn of Hammond said as her children checked out the old black stove in the back of the room. “They’re curious about everything here.”
Since its inception in 1979, the Buckley Fall Festival has sparked interest with thousands of visitors, according to Becky Crabbe, Buckley Park manager.
“It was very different, though. The schoolhouse and cabin weren’t built yet — only the barn and original house were here. And the house wasn’t open for visitors,” she said. “But we had many demonstrations going on and attendance on both days was fantastic. We bused hundreds of people from Lowell High School each day.”
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The tradition lives on, as the throngs this year numbered more than 2,000 on the first day, and even more the second day.
Visitors leisurely strolled the grounds, and when they got tired, mounted one of the continuous hayrides to the attractions.
Food offerings included apple dumplings, bison burgers, kettle corn, pulled pork and pierogi.
Members of the Franklin family pride themselves with being organized each time they take their three children on an outing. And the Buckley Festival is on their to-do list each fall.
“With so many little ones and so much to do here, we have to be prepared so everyone can have a good time,” mom Kerri said as they waited for a hay wagon to take them to the old school house. “We spend the whole day here each year, and with enough snacks and rest periods in between the activities, we can make it through.”
One specific event her three boys wanted to watch was the presentation by the Coles County Regulators, a show that portrayed cowboy life in the Old West.
The 1916 Buckley Barn was full to capacity both days, with visitors spilling out into the barnyard, observing the animals as they perused the many vendors.
Learn more
More information about Lake County Parks activities: 219-769-7275 or www.LakeCountyParks.com.