Oct 12, 2020 4 min read

Organizers of the 49th annual Harvest Festival are hoping vistors come to the Greene County Historical Society Museum to enjoy a full slate of activities that celebrate the area’s rich history and heritage.

This year, instead of holding the event over a typical two-day weekend, the presentations, lectures, reenactments, encampments and more will be offered over the span of a week.

The festival kicked off Sunday and concludes Saturday with each day offering special activities geared for all ages.

“This is going to be a busy – and a very informative, and very fun – week at the museum grounds,” said Sam Gandy, historical society administrative assistant and event coordinator. “We decided that because this year has been so challenging because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be better to present different activities over a week’s span during fewer hours each day so we would have smaller crowds adhering to all safety and social distancing guidelines.”

Gandy said last year’s festival was well-attended, and when organizers met after the pandemic started, they began developing plans to determine how the festival could take place while addressing a potentially large crowd and adhering to safety guidelines.

“We felt that holding different events each night would alleviate both of those issues,” she said. “And by doing it this way, people can come and experience what the festival has to offer on a day of their choosing.”

The festival will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. each day through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The festival will feature a Native American presentation by Todd “Ghost in the Head” Johnson beginning at 4 p.m. Monday; Tuesday, “Barn Bingo,” and at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, “Forging Greene County” by T.J. Porfeli, who will discuss the W&A Young Foundry and Machine Shop.

A “Wonderful World of Fiber” presentation about wool and fiber will be conducted by Lena Galing at 4 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Thursday.

Friday will be Kid’s Night, which Gandy said will feature games with a historical flair, scavenger hunt and presentation by Jim Weinshenker on the history of the W&W Railroad.

The festival will conclude Saturday with a day of Civil War reenactments at noon and 3 p.m., and historical encampments with the 140th PVI and the 31st Virginia units.

Throughout Saturday, there will be assorted vendors in the museum barn who will be focusing on Halloween and paranormal themes. There will also be lecturers talking about various topics pertaining to paranormal activity, and residents attending the lectures will be seated in the museum barn while the presentations are offered virtually via Zoom.

The paranormal lectures will be presented by Joey and Tonya Madia at 1 and 4 p.m.

Gandy stressed times are tentative and subject to change.

Donations will be accepted for admission, with proceeds going to help the museum with operating costs. Organizers will also accept nonperishable items as donations, which will be given to the Corner Cupboard Food Bank.

Gandy said the museum has a backup plan in place for the Harvest Festival should circumstances change because of COVID-19.

“If everything stays the same, we will be able to present the festival because of the current outdoor 250-maximum mandate,” she said. “However, if the mandates should change then we are ready and able to present this year’s festival virtually. Earlier this year, we held a car show and 5K run virtually and they went really well, so we’re able to do hold a virtual festival if needed.”

For more information on the 49th annual Harvest Festival, visit Greene County Historical Society’s Facebook page and on the Society website, www.greenecountyhistory.org.