Dakota City Heritage Village invites you to a free Spring Festival Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4. This new interpretive event will introduce the public to the village and its programs, along with saluting the area’s agricultural history. The festival will be an open house with free admission.

Rich Williams, Director of Public Programs, said, “We are hoping that the public will take advantage of the free admission to visit the museum and learn more about Dakota City, who we are and what we do. We will have interpretive stations that will promote the upcoming events at both Dakota City and the Dakota County Fairgrounds.”

These stations will include musicians for Bluegrass in the Village, Civil War soldiers depicting Civil War Weekend, hands-on craft stations to promote Grand History Days, and Village Holidays, a building promoting educational programs such as school tours, and a building promoting Summer in the Village and Apprentice 1900, the summer youth camps.

During the festival eight acres of land will be plowed and planted with 1940s-era machinery from Dakota City’s collection. Planting of an heirloom garden at the Harris House also will take place. Interpreters in period clothing will provide information in the village’s buildings.

Williams said some of the larger activities that take place on the Dakota County Fairgrounds will be represented. Classic cars will promote the Southern Cruzers Summer Spectacular and Scottish folk will promote the Scottish Fair. Also, on Saturday, May 3, the fairgrounds will offer a swap meat featuring classic demolition derby cars, classic cars, classic tractors and classic motorcycles.

Hot and cold food and other refreshments will be available in the Dakota City Café and the old-time drugstore. Free parking is available for hundreds of cars.

SPRING FESTIVAL
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, May 3-4
Cost: Free
Location: Dakota City Heritage Village, on the Dakota County Fairgrounds, 4008 220th St. W., Farmington
Information: 651-460-8050 or www.dakotacity.org