BISHOP HILL — Jordbruksdagarna will take place Sept. 27-28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, featuring traditional music, crafts, demonstrations, and food across the historic village. The annual harvest celebration will highlight 19th century farm life with activities for all ages.
Village Park will host vendors, blacksmithing and woodworking demonstrations, and musical performances at the gazebo, including Coffee Creek at noon and 2 p.m. and the Nordic Dancers of Chicago at 1 and 3 p.m. Nearby, the Bjorklund Hotel will showcase hands-on activities such as brick making, corn shelling, sorghum pressing, and cider making from noon to 4 p.m.
The Henry County Historical Museum will offer agriculture demonstrations throughout the day along with an antique tractor display. A special program on Illinois Ho-Chunk Native Americans will be presented from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tractor-pulled people movers will run between the museum, Colony School, Village Park, and Colony Church from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.
Saturday’s highlights include a petting zoo, pony rides, a history skit at the Steeple Building Museum, and music by the Irish duo The Ammonites at Bishop Hill Creative Commons. Visitors can also enjoy a bake sale, pulled ham lunch, and Colony Stew at the Colony School. On Sunday, a community church service will be held at 10 a.m. in Village Park.
The Bishop Hill Heritage Association organizes Jordbruksdagarna with support from the Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Bishop Hill Agricultural Association, and VASA National Archives. The event is partly funded by local sponsors and supported by volunteers.