FREE PUBLIC ANNUAL EVENT SET OF SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at LOBERG PARK IN HARDY
Tammy Curtis, Managing Editor
Where else can you leave the hustle and bustle of a busy lifestyle behind and get a glimpse into the past, a time before we lived in a “need it now” society? For one day each year, a group of dedicated people who have worked all year do just that.
The Hardy Homsteader’s Day organizers have a passion for the past, and during the event, they strive to bring it to life. For the 33rd year, the past will come alive in the autumn splendor along the banks of the Spring River in Loberg Park in Hardy on Sept. 27.
Event organizers eagerly anticipate the event every year. While the group has no affiliation with any organization, which is typical of community events, the group shares a love for not only the area but also the way things used to be. Organizers find it essential to share this way of life with the younger generation, as it is a way to relive the glory days for both fun and educational purposes each year.
The event began when organizers started working with the late Bob Zeiger, as part of a plan to revive the way of life they and their parents had known as children.
In the first year, there were only six or seven participants, and people brought their teams of mules, allowing them to perform plowing demonstrations. They also had the hay cut, and in the old Pecan Grove area east of Hardy, they had an old baler for horses to demonstrate. It has continued to grow each year. The group sets the scene much like stepping back in time to an old frontier town. From a real wood cook stove in a pioneer-type kitchen to a candy shop, soap maker, schoolhouse, blacksmith, saloon, and even an undertaker, visitors are transported back to a much simpler time with sights, sounds, and smells of a bygone era. The smells of a wood stove and open fire cooking in several of the chuck wagon kitchens, where demonstrators offer samples of their food, welcome visitors. The smells of beans, hoe cakes, homemade bread, cobblers, and a wide array of other foods cooked over the fire can be sampled as visitors walk through the living educational exhibits offered at Hardy Homesteader’s Day.
The event is one for young and old alike. Children enjoy trying their hand at the candle-making exhibit, one that has been a favorite for many years. Those attending often dress in pioneer apparel and fit nicely into the scenes. Petting some of the livestock on site makes the event even more realistic. This year, the furry and adorable “Henry,” a Purebred Scottish Highland cow from Black Bell Acres in Alton, Mo., promises to be a child (and adult) favorite.
While times were slower in the pioneer days, children’s lives were indeed more challenging. There was much more responsibility placed on children in those days. Since today’s children, and even many adults, may not have experienced cleaning laundry on a wringer washer or washboard, those exhibits are hands-on favorites of both young and old alike. Other exhibits include a spinning wheel, a demonstration of thread making and weaving, lye soap making, and the open-fire branding exhibit, which is also a favorite and offers a free take-home example. This year, attendees can even learn to juggle, something most find fun but would never take the time to actually learn. Demonstrations will be at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m, 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Bring the whole family or just watch the fun. The group strives to keep the country heritage, on which rural Arkansans derive their roots, alive and well, even if it is just once a year.
The group even makes homemade butter ahead of time to spread on top of the hot hoe cakes, which are always a crowd favorite. Sarsaparilla tea and lemonade are also staples at the event. Drover Cowboy Church will be cooking up some yummy chuckwagon food for the event as well.
The children always love the rag dolls made by the group. The blacksmithing demonstrations and the cornmeal grinding are among the adults’ favorites. Besides food, exhibits, and a time to escape the daily grind, there is also a wide variety of music and other activities. “Steer” roping for kids on steer head dummies, as well as wagon rides, old-time toys, and other fun events, are included. Another favorite is the blacksmithing exhibit, which allows visitors to brand a piece of wood as a take-home item.
Ideally, organizers would love to have a piece of land to construct authentic log cabins and barns, further establishing the old homesteader lifestyle and providing more exhibits and educational opportunities for the area. The amount of work that goes into the setup is something anyone can appreciate.
It is as if a small old-time town sprouts up overnight. Besides the work that goes into planning and orchestrating the large event that attracts thousands of people both in and out of state each year, the group is also giving away a beautiful quilt this year. The quilt is handcrafted by a piece of history herself, Ms.Willie Mae Bradley, who is 92 and has lived most of her life within a quarter of a mile of Loberg Park. Other giveaways include cutting boards, A Rocky Mountain Cross Bow, a Commemorative Winchester Cowboy Rifle, and a Homesteader’s Gift Basket. Attendees can register for the giveaway or purchase tickets for raffle items. The winners will be contacted and do not need to be present to win.
Everything in the Homesteader’s Day town is for educational and demonstration purposes and is free to the public. Donation jars are placed at exhibits to help defray costs; however, attendees are not obligated to make a donation or pay for anything, including entry.
To fund the event, the group of volunteers begins selling ads for their poster in June. The money helps keep the event free and provides a fund for incidentals, and allows the strictly volunteer group to purchase antiques and other items for their displays and materials for the event each year. They store the items all year and begin setting up the day before the event.. The group is also very appreciative of the local businesses that support them and make the event possible each year. They also receive in-kind help, which means a great deal to the group. The Hardy History Association has stepped up in recent years, and its members have provided significant assistance with the event.
There is always entertainment throughout the day that lends to the country feel of stepping back in time. Hay bales provide extra seating and lend to the feeling of stepping back to when Hardy was young. Many attendees and their families appear dressed in pioneer era attire. This year, there is a beard contest along with the 1883 dress contest, which are crowd favorites. Attendees are encouraged to dress in period attire, and prizes will be awarded in several categories for both contests. Also, this year, to add even more fun to the event, is the “Dress your ATV/UTV like a Mule” (or even a covered wagon), which complements the yesteryear theme. This new event also promises to be fun as the crowd gets creative.
Also new this year is Harlots, Hooch, and Hot Lead … How the Railroad Gave Birth to Hardy. 15-minute talks by Dr. John Treat will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 3 Magi, located at 109 East Main Street. The town is also open with several shops, antiques, and restaurants for visitors to enjoy after they have made their way through the Homesteader Day or even as they take a break and return.
With fall weather in full swing and cooler temperatures predicted for Homesteader’s Day, the event is a perfect time for families to step back in time and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in Hardy. The folk and other music will set the scene, accompanied by a variety of great food and demonstrations. There will be numerous photo props available to commemorate the event, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Loberg Park, Hardy.
For more information or details on raffles, music schedules, and events, please visit the Hardy Homesteader Day Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075734567839.
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