A step back in time: 6 things to know about Yankee Peddler Festival

LAWRENCE TWP. – The Yankee Peddler Festival — an annual celebration of colonial life and culture — pulls into Clay's Resort Jellystone Park this weekend.

Each year, thousands of people gather at the resort over three weekends in September to relive America's pre-industrial years.

Militia and gray-bearded mountain men offer exhibitions. Vendors, while wearing period clothing, sell everything from beeswax candles to handmade leather gun holsters. And musicians fill the air with the sounds of flutes, mandolins, banjos, hammer dulcimers and acoustic guitars.

The show runs from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and Sept. 15 and 16; and Sept. 22 and 23 at the resort, 12951 Patterson St NW. Tickets are $11 for adults, $10 for seniors and $3 for kids 6 to 11. Discounted tickets are available at the festival website at www.yankeepeddlerfestival.com.

Here's what you need to know if plan to attend:

Happy 50th anniversary, Yankee Peddler!

Yankee Peddler is celebrating its 50th anniversary. While trying to find ways to celebrate the country's bicentennial, the idea for Yankee Peddler was born by a florist, party coordinator and the owners of an advertising display business. The festival celebrates pioneer America.

What is Yankee Peddler?

The festival reflects life between 1776 and 1825. The festival takes visitors back more than 200 years.

Dressed in period clothing, hundreds of musicians, performers and crafters showcase their talents. Artisans and crafters provide visitors with a look at how they create their wares and the history of their crafts. Many offer a hands-on experience for those who stop by their booth.

"The hands-on educational aspect of all the artists and crafters is what makes Yankee Peddler special," said Frank Cajaka, vice president of the Yankee Peddler Association. "You can talk to them and appreciate what goes into making a preacher's board, a bench or working with vintage books to create something. It's just the creativity. This is true art and it is made in front of you. It's done right in front of your eyes. It's a whole level of appreciation for what goes into it."

Cajaka's father was one of the original organizers of the event.

Roasted turkey leg, anyone?

Come hungry. There are plenty of tasty treats and drinks offered at the festival.

Try a turkey leg cooked over a wood fire, pulled pork sandwiches, corn on the cob, wood-fired pizzas and pierogies. For those with a sweet tooth, there are apple fritters, gourmet apples and cinnamon rolls. If you're thirsty, grab a fresh squeezed lemonade, root beer or specialty coffee.

Entertainment includes puppets and medicine show

The festival has entertainment for all ages.

The three weekends are filled with a variety of entertainment, including puppets, a medicine show and musical acts such as Madewell Music, The Plate Scrapers and Celtic Sisters.

During the second week of the festival, a special scavenger hunt will be held for kids. Participants will visit a variety of crafters and often will be able to get a firsthand try at their craft. Those who complete the hunt will earn a Yankee Peddler button.

Reenactments feature covered wagons, blacksmiths and militia

There is something for everyone. From covered wagons, blacksmiths and militia, visitors can visit a war encampment and mountain encampment.

"The reenactors show people what it was like to live during that time and give a real feel for what went on during the Civil War," Cajaka said. "The frontiersman is an example of how people lived life when they ventured into Ohio. It will give visitors a real taste and appreciation for how they lived their life and the challenges they faced."

The reenactments will allow visitors to forget about the modern cares of the day, he said.

Yankee Peddler considers itself family

Yankee Peddler is a family. Hundreds of artists will share their crafts and many of them have been coming to Yankee Peddler for years.

Cajaka said there are vendors who have been showing their goods at the festival for more than 40 years. Crafters come and go but there are also many new faces, he said.

"Everyone is geared up for the 50th anniversary," Cajaka said. "There will be a lot of special items and crafts and a lot of new people and entertainment. It's going to be a very good, special show."

This article originally appeared on The Independent: 2023 Yankee Peddler Festival marks 50th anniversary at Clay's Resort