The annual Harvest Festival is set to open, offering visitors a hands-on look at preserved regional architecture, historical artifacts, and traditional demonstrations. Powered by 70 to 80 local volunteers, the event showcases skills ranging from sawmill operation to butter making.
Heritage Village Board Chair Monty Prins explains that the event serves as a showcase for the region’s preserved heritage.
“The Harvest Festival is a festival we put on annually, and it’s just kind of showcases some, different, demonstrations and some different buildings that we have preserved and, some that we’ve recreated, just kind of gives us a chance to showcase some, artifacts from how we’ve collected through the county or through people.”
New This Year
Attendees will notice several updates to the festival lineup this season. The local Firefighters Association has rebuilt the fire station on-site, equipping it with updated artifact displays and bunker gear.
Additionally, live music is making its return to the event schedule after several years. Organizers have also invited a Civil War reenactor to highlight Sioux County’s specific connections to Civil War history.
“This year we have a Civil War reenactor that’s coming, and he’s gonna just give some history of Sioux County in the Civil War. We also are adding music back again this year. It’s been quite a few years since we’ve had music.”
Popular Attractions and Community Impact
Alongside the new additions, traditional favorites will be running throughout the weekend. Popular stops include the cider press, the blacksmith shop, and the sawmill. Visitors can walk through preserved structures to experience historic daily routines firsthand.
The festival draws significant attendance each year. On Friday alone, organizers anticipate between 600 and 900 students along with their chaperones. Over the course of the full weekend, general community attendance typically reaches between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors or more.
For board members and organizers, the event’s true value lies in bringing community members together.
“It’s actually just seeing Heritage Village being so active, seeing all the community members out there, the support that they give us, the support of our volunteers. Um, I guess to me, just seeing Heritage Village come alive is probably one of my favorite parts.”
