Heritage Day 2016

Take a step back in time at the annual Heritage Day Saturday, September 10, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM.  Come out to the Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park and enjoy a wide array of ethnic foods, demonstrations, and activities for young and old alike. Apple cider making, meat rendering, outdoor oven bread baking, old fashioned laundry day, corn shelling, hay baling, hands-on rope making, rug braiding, sewing & quilting demonstrations, and butter making can all be enjoyed at Heritage Day. 

There is no admission charge on Heritage Day with the entire park open for viewing. Music will be performed in the Country Mennonite Church throughout the morning by the Matt Siebert band. Other music will be the vintage organ in the farmhouse played by Vernelle Friesen. Hay baling the old fashioned way will be held by Roger Siebert on the grounds during the day. Take a peek at the new railcar that just arrived at the Henderson Depot.

Country School will be in session from 9:30–11:00 AM complete with chalk board lessons, raising of the flag, and vintage school yard games. Kids will especially enjoy the hands-on butter and rope making. There will be a collection of small unique tractors and cars on display for them to discover as well.

Local craftsman, Gerald Friesen, will be demonstrating how he makes unique wood pens on the front porch of the farmhouse.  He also will have on display his collection of completed pens featuring 22 different types of wood. 

Ethnic foods available will be bologna, cheese, zwieback, ham sandwiches, New Year’s cookies, raisin shnetya, sour cream cookies, and apple prieshka. Cracklings and homemade sausage may also be purchased on Heritage Day. Fresh waffles and cream sauce cooked on an outdoor wood fired stove using antique waffle irons will be available.

If you are interested in genealogy, the General Store will be open and visitors can view the Heritage Park’s entire collection of genealogies and gift shop items. Volunteers will be on hand for assistance using the GRANDMA Genealogy computer program.  

Golf carts will be available for those needing help getting around the Heritage Park. The park is located 1 ½ mile south of the Henderson I-80 Exit #342 on spur 93A. For more information contact LaVonne Thiessen at 402-723-4559.