Back to Basics

After reviewing the activities that are planned for the Pioneer Days festival at the historic Daniel Boone Home & Boonesfield Village (1868 Highway F, Defiance; 636-798-2005 or www.lindenwood.edu/boone), we're thinking these long-ago times weren't so bad after all. There's nary a mention of dysentery, cholera or starvation at this fest! In fact, this weekend-long extravaganza is all about the fun, with candle-making, fife and drum concerts, tomahawk-throwing, open-fire cooking and more! OK, so one of the planned activities, the first-person slave reenactment, might not be fun per se, but it will definitely be educational, as will the other lighter demonstrations, and learning about the past is important, too. For those who haven't been out to the historic locale, you should note that it's not merely a home with a party around it — there are twelve or so other nineteenth-century structures that make up the village, ranging from a schoolhouse to a church, and during Pioneer Days, period-perfect campers will be staying out there as well, adding to the authenticity. Admission to the festival is $4 to $7 per day, and the village is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (September 19 and 20).
Sat., Sept. 19; Sun., Sept. 20, 2009