Festival attendees learn about past

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Taking a step back in time and learning about the past can come in many forms.
Reading a book or magazine article about the past certainly can be informative and insightful. Checking out a video or television show about the past is another way to experience living history. However, seeing the way the pioneers accomplished daily tasks first hand through an in-person demonstration may be the most direct way to discover the ways of the past.
Saturday, Oct. 7, was an opportunity to learn about the past as well as celebrate a good time in the present moment at the annual Saxon Lutheran Memorial Fall Festival.
More than 20 different demonstrations were available, from an apple cider press and apple butter cooking to chicken butchering and whittling and woodwordking.
Jessica Jessup of Old Appleton attended this year’s event with her family, including three children.
“I like the authenticity of it all,” she said. “I like how everything is still here.”
She was finishing up taking a photo of two of her children in a after they completed buggy ride.
As for a food that caught her attention, one rose to the top.
“The doughnuts are a go-to,” she said. “They are a must.”
The highlights for the kids included the houses as well as the horses.
“We’ll definitely come back next year,” Jessup said.

Phil Graul of St. Louis views the event as an opportunity catch up with old friends.
His wife’s family is from the area and her brother was part of the musical entertainment.
“We run into a lot of friends and relatives (who) we haven’t seen often,” Phil said.
Typically, they try to make time to enjoy the bratwurst, he noted.
“It’s just a fun way to spend a beautiful fall afternoon, catch up with relatives and friends and spend time talking.”
Dawn Flickenger of Uniontown was one of the vendors, offering items she created from alpaca yarn.
“We actually go from the animal to the finished product,” she said. “(It’s an opportunity) to meet new people). This is wonderful because of the heritage that’s here. They do all the demonstrations and the German food. This is just a really fun festival.”
She has been doing this venture for the past two decades. Flickenger was selling a variety of knitted items, including hats and scarves.
“Basically, if it can be knitted, we try and knit it,” she said. “We do special orders.
One of the more unique items she was offering Saturday were Christmas lights spun fiber over yarn.
“That’s kind of different this year,” she said. this type of contest was held in several years. The community overwhelmed the staff with their response.