Anita Campbell
County Reporter
Thousands of visitors are expected in the area this weekend, October 21-22 to attend the Pioneer Heritage Days celebration on Kaysinger Bluff and the Heritage Days Craft Show on Drake Harbor. Since 1981, Warsaw Pioneer Heritage Days has drawn thousands to its Mountain Man Camp, Pioneer exhibitors and more.
Warsaw Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pam Burnham is geared up for the annual celebration.
“We have over 300 vendors coming to the area for Heritage Day,” said Burnham. “Main Street from Van Buren to Benton will be closed to traffic as we have rented spots on Main Street to vendors to expand our vendor numbers,” said Burnham.”
Burnham is expecting approximately 20,000 visitors to the Warsaw area during Heritage Days 2023. There will be golf carts taking visitors up and down the hill to Drake Harbor. These volunteer drivers will also be helping visitors take their purchases to their cars. Cart driver volunteer Hadley Arnett said he would be working all day on both days of Heritage Days.
“I love helping out and meeting the people who come to Warsaw for this event,” said Arnett.
One addition to Heritage Days will be food vendors on Main Street as well as food vendors on the Harbor.
“There will be lots of different food choices,” said Burnham.
Another food choice is the annual Spaghetti and Meatball dinner at St. Ann Catholic Church located at 30455 West Dam Access Road just off Highway 7. The spaghetti and meatball dinner will also feature garlic bread, tea or coffee and a piece of pie. Cost is $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 6 through 12 and children 5 and under eat for free. Serving will start at 11:00 AM and end at 6:00 PM.
In addition to the spaghetti and meatball dinner, the St. Ann congregation will host a car show in their parking lot as well as a cookie wheel, country store and bake sale. The car show will run from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. This is the major fundraiser for the St. Ann parish for the year.
Burnham went on to say that it truly is a combined effort between the KBPHA, the City of Warsaw, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Chamber of Commerce to prepare for the two-day event.
"We wouldn't be able to present this event without the many volunteers," said Burnham.
The KBPHA presents a living history experience through the demonstration of the 18th through the 20th century crafts, trades and lifestyles of the early pioneers.
Throughout the wooded trails of Kaysinger Bluff, visitors will explore the Hooper House, the Concord School House, an 1850’s pioneer homestead and discover which dwelling once housed Frank and Jesse James for a night. A two-day event jam packed with the sights, sounds and aromas of the way life once was. History comes alive with the sights, sounds and over 100 exhibitors and crafters demonstrating life in the 1800's.
Admission to the historical area around the Overlook is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6-12. Children 5 and under are admitted free of charge. Those who pay for their admission on Saturday can use their pass on Sunday as well. Exhibits will be open from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Saturday and 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM on Sunday. Buses will transport guests to Kaysinger Bluff (pioneer demonstrations and crafts) and to Drake Harbor (modern crafts).
Special attractions will include demonstrations of pioneer lifestyle such as finger weaving and tatting, treadle sewing, rope making, leatherworks, antique loom weaving, broom making, knife making, spinning, weaving, dyeing yarn, soap making, stone carving and wood carving.
Warsaw resident Katie Johnson will be on the Bluff weaving baskets on Saturday and Sunday.
“We will also have baskets for visitors to purchase,” said Johnson.
There will also be lots of delicious food such as kettle corn, biscuits and gravy, chuckwagon chili, homemade apple butter, bread, cookies and much more.
The Kaysinger General Store will also be open with demonstrations and many homemade items for sale. Those working and demonstrating on Kaysinger Bluff will be dressed in 19th century clothing.
Sunday on the Bluff will feature a church service as well.
Pioneer Heritage Days on Kaysinger Bluff will be accessible only by bus from the East Bledsoe parking area.
Please note that the access road across the dam will be closed! Pioneer Heritage Days can only be accessed from the east side of the dam.
Visitors can catch the bus to Downtown Warsaw to experience the quaint shops, unique restaurants and enjoy the local musicians at Drake Harbor’s amphitheater.
According to Burnham there are still opportunities to volunteer.
“We always can use more volunteers,” she said.
