HARRISON — Go “Back to the Past” to celebrate local history at Scribner’s Mill for its 18th annual turn-of-the-century homestead and sawmill celebration to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 and 2.

The annual event offers something for everyone, including demonstrations, exhibits, house tours, children’s activities and food.

Old machinery will be turning out barrel parts, shingles and planed boards. Timber framers will be on site working on the frame for the mill’s flume, the water chamber located under the mill and used to hold water until it is released to operate the water wheels, which operate the mill equipment. If the water in the river recedes, the work will take place under the mill.

In the mill, visitors will watch dry barrel parts being manufactured as well as have the opportunity to help assemble their own barrel. Barrels will be available for sale. Making shingles will be demonstrated in the long shed.

This year the blacksmith will be reconstructing the hearth that was in the original 1846 blacksmith shop. In front of the long shed there will be horse-shoeing demonstrations on Saturday and oxen demonstrations on Sunday.

Across the street from the mill, exhibitors will be cranking up their antique engines, tractors, trucks and autos. Tours of the homestead will be offered on the hour and half hour. In the barn and wood shed there will be a display of old tools, pictures and post cards, demonstrations of spinning, weaving, basketry, broom-making, tatting, jewelry-making, rug hooking and wood carving.

Next to the corn house, children will be able to participate in workshops from 10:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. both days. At 2:30, the young at heart will have an opportunity to turn the crank to make ice cream, and free samples will be offered.

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be available for lunch at the food booth. and lemonade will also be for sale. Scribner’s Mill shirts and hats will be available at the sales booth. The Highland String Trio will perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. 

A pig roast and baked bean supper will be served at 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets will be on sale at the sales booth, $8.50 for adults, $5 for children.

A worship service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the dining tent.

Admission to the festival is $6, children 12 and under free. Funds raised will be used for the restoration of the 1847-1962 saw mill site. For more information, call 583-MILL (6455).