Bishop Hill hosting Jordbruksdagarna festival

The annual 19th century harvest festival Jordbruksdagarna (pronounced yord-brooks-DAH-ga-na) will be on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27 in Bishop Hill. There will be a variety of traditional craft demonstrations, food, vendors and hands-on activities for the children during the festival, which is the Swedish term for “agricultural days.” Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Demonstrations, hands-on activities, music, and the history skit are all free. Jordbruksdagarna takes place throughout Bishop Hill. Uncle Bud’s Apple Cider Slushie and Pop of the Morning will be next to the Carpenter Building serving food and drinks. Nature’s Creations will be selling pumpkins, gourds and more by the Colony Store.

Artisans will weave, carve wood, forge metal, make butter and more in the village park each day. Vendors will have baked goods, crafts and more in the park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Musical performances include Coffee Creek at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and the Nordic Dancers of Chicago at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day at the gazebo. Visitors, especially children, can try shelling corn, making bricks and creating a cornhusk doll. Steve’s Mobile Petting Zoo will be located in the northwest corner of the park.

Visitors can explore Henry County’s agricultural heritage at the Henry County Historical Museum, with a variety of antique tractors and implements on display outdoors. The Bishop Hill Agricultural Association will conduct 19th century harvest activities. Tractor people movers will also be available to take people around town to experience many of the activities, museums, and stores that Bishop Hill has to offer. These activities will be held both days of the festival.

On Saturday September 26 only, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Colony School, the Bishop Hill Old Settlers’ Association will be selling their famous Colony Stew.  The Colony School is also hosting “Meet the Colonists” display and the BHHA Acting Troupe will perform their Bishop Hill Colony history skit, Viar Har (We Are Here), starting at 11 a.m. at the Steeple Building Museum.

TriCo Equestrian Center will have pony rides from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a fee in the southwest corner of the park and the Bishop Hill Methodist Church will be having a bake sale by the Steeple Building.

On Sunday September 27 only, there will be a Community Church Service in the park at 10 a.m. that is open to the public. Author Jannifer Powelson will hold a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information about Jordbruksdagarna, call 309 927-3899, email bhha@mymctc.net or click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.