Prairie Days, Darke County Parks’ biggest event of the year, can’t happen without the generous support of the community. Hundreds of volunteers give of their time and resources all throughout the year, and Prairie Days is no exception. On the weekend of September 24th and 25th the Darke County Park District will host its 16th Annual Prairie Days festival at Shawnee Prairie Preserve at 4267 St. Rt. 502 West near Greenville.

As in the past it will include children’s’ crafts, horse and wagon rides, apple butter and sorghum demonstrations, food and craft vendors, historical interpreters, and many other free, fun, and family friendly activities. The park staff is still in need of help to make this festival run smoothly. They are looking for individuals or groups who would like to help with parking festival attendees. The children’s craft tent still needs staff for various activities including making pioneer hats, constructing tussies mussies (fragrant herb bouquets), dipping candles, and others. The horse and wagon rides need an attendant to help festival goers on and off the wagon, and the sorghum press needs volunteers to help squeeze out the sweet juice.

If anyone is interested in any of these jobs or needs to log some community service hours before graduation, please give Kathi McQueen, the Darke County Parks’ Volunteer Coordinator, a call at (937) 548-0165 or email her at kmcqueen@darkecountyparks.org For more information about Prairie Days in general, call the nature center at (937) 548-0165.  

Step through a wrinkle in time to experience life on the Ohio frontier. On the weekend of September 24th and 25th the Darke County Park District will host its 16th Annual Prairie Days festival at Shawnee Prairie Preserve at 4267 St. Rt. 502 West near Greenville. As festival attendants wander through the grounds they’ll hear the ring of the blacksmith’s hammer on the anvil, smell fresh bread baking in the outdoor oven, and see long hunters tending their fires in the woodland encampment.

Come watch apple butter made over the fire, play children’s pioneer games, view local artists’ works, enjoy live music and entertainment. This year there will be performances by The Darke County Civic Theatre on Saturday at 11:00 am and 2:30 pm and Sunday at 3:30 pm. The Silver Grass Band will perform on Saturday at 1:00pm. Sunday enjoy back-to-back concerts from Berachah Valley at 12:30pm and the Thien Snipps at 2:00pm. Between acts, sit-a-spell with the pioneer volunteers in the log house or try your hand at candle-making, tin-smithing, and more! This year the cobb oven and sorghum press demonstrations are back. Take a stroll through the 18th century encampment and watch a tomahawk and knife throwing competition. New this year, the Greenville FFA presents their farm animal petting zoo for young and young at heart to learn and enjoy.

There will also be a wide variety of food to choose from. Take a load off as you enjoy fresh produce from Downing’s Fruit Farm, an ice cream cone from Just Ice Cream, or visit one of the non-profit vendors serving a wide variety of foods for lunch, snacks, and more!  Participate in a pie-baking contest. Be sure to try your luck at the annual basket raffle before you leave! We hope to see you next weekend at Shawnee Prairie Preserve where admission and parking are FREE!

Transportation from the main parking areas will once again be provided by Greenville Transit System (GTS). Parking areas will be well marked with plenty of signage. This will make getting to and from the parking area to the festival grounds quick, effective, and safe for all family members. Handicap parking will once again be available in the paved lot at the Nature Center. (Please be sure to have your Handicap Placard visible).  For more information, call the Nature Center at (937) 548-0165 or visit the website at www.darkecountyparks.org