Annual Old Time Gathering set for Sept. 23 at fairgrounds

By Pat Hahn for the Daily Times
Monday, September 11, 2006 12:36 PM CDT

JUNEAU - The Dodge County Fairgrounds will be a bustle of activity Sept. 23 as participants learn about the lifestyle and activities of their forefathers during the eighth annual Old Time Gathering.

The free event is open to the public and scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fairgrounds is located three miles east of Beaver Dam on state Highway 33.

The committee planning the event said activities have been planned to appeal to all ages, from young children to senior citizens. Included are folk art demonstrations, a Buckskinners encampment, dance and musical performances, hands-on crafts and activities, an educational petting zoo, farmers' market, and a sheepshead tournament.

“We've definitely planned this to be something for the entire family,” Dodge County 4-H Youth Development Agent Sally Schoenike commented.

Co-chairmen Les and Lois Neuman agreed. “We hope families will come out and spend the day with us. People can drop by for as little or as long as they want,” they said.

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A wide variety of folk art demonstrations and activities will be centered in the youth building. Many of the exhibitors return year after year, illustrating crafts such as spinning, weaving, braided rugs, rug hooking, quilting, stitchery, herbs, wood carving, basket weaving, knitting, porcupine quillwork, German folded stars, felting, singing bowls, archery, taxidermy and trapping.

Several of the exhibitors will offer participants hands-on opportunities to try their crafts for a minimal charge covering the cost of materials.

Folklore Village dancers will perform and teach folk dances in the youth building at noon and 2 p.m., and the Swinging Beavers square dancers will perform at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Fiddle Magic Players will also be playing around the grounds during the day.

A Buckskinners encampment will be located on the western edge of the fairgrounds. Neuman said those invited to be part of the encampment are selected based on their willingness and ability to share information with those attending the event. “These Buckskinners invite and encourage people to ask them questions,” he explained. “They bring what most of us have only read about in books to life.”

In addition to Neuman's blacksmithing display, other Buckskinners will show activities including cooking, black powder cannons, soap making, tinsmithing, candle making, trade goods, basket weaving, flint napping, fire starting, rope making and arrowheads.

Other displays will feature mammals of Wisconsin and a 4-H educational petting zoo.

Dodge County Antique Power Club will provide “people haulers” to transport people from one end of the fairgrounds to the other, and the club will also have a display of vintage equipment.

The second annual sheepshead tournament will begin at 1 p.m., with sign-up beginning in the youth building at noon. Seating is limited, so those interested in participating should sign up early, committee members noted. There is a $5 entry fee.

New this year is “Make and Take a Decorated Pumpkin.” Pumpkins will be available for a nominal charge, and materials for decorating the pumpkin will be provided.

Plenty of food will be available in a stand operated by Dodge County Home and Community Education (HCE), and a farmers' market will offer a selection of locally grown produce. New farm market vendors are always welcome, the committee indicated.

The event is sponsored by Cathodic Systems, HCE, and Dodge County 4-H Leaders Association. Additional information is available by calling (920) 386-3790.