Prairie Days at Shawnee Prairie

On the weekend of September 29th and 30th, step through a wrinkle in time to experience life on the Ohio frontier. The Darke County Park District will once again host its 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 as apple butter is 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, followed by Steve Madewell’s performance at 4pm. Starting Sunday’s stage performances will be the Ramblin’ Rovers are on at 12pm. Next up on stage at 2pm, enjoy the stories of Johnny Appleseed as he passes through Prairie Days during his journeys.

Between acts, sit-a-spell with the pioneer volunteers in the log house or try your hand at candle-making, tin-smithing, and more! Take a stroll through the 18th century encampment and watch a tomahawk and knife throwing competition. Don’t forget to visit the Greenville FFA and their farm animal petting zoo for the young and young-at-heart to learn and enjoy. Be sure to take a lap around the festival with a horse and wagon ride provided by Carrs Belgians.

Calling all bakers! Prepare your best pie to enter in the Friends of the Darke County Parks’ pie-baking contest held Saturday at 9:30am! Just $2/pie to enter in any (or all!) of the following categories: Apple, Peach, Berry, or Other. Be sure to submit pies in a disposable pan and we cannot accept meringue or refrigerated pies. Winner takes home a cash prize!

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! Feeling lucky? Enter our annual basket raffle before you leave!

We hope to see you Prairie Days weekend (September 29 & 30) 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