Plans are being finalized for the 2022 edition of the Hay Creek Festival, which will run from Friday through Sunday, Sept. 9 to 11, on the grounds of the historic Joanna Furnace Ironworks, 1250 Furnace Road, Morgantown. The festival will run each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Highlights of the 46th annual event, presented by the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA), will include traditional early American crafts; a contemporary craft market; living history presentations and interpretations; vintage Industrial Revolution era working equipment; threshing demonstrations; a working sawmill; children's hands-on activities; Civil War and World War II encampments; a display of antique vehicles, steam engines and tractors; traditional folk music presentations; and homemade foods.

Mark Zerr, HCVHA executive director, noted that 10,000 people visit the festival over the three-day period each year. "(In addition to local visitors), we have people come from the tri-state region - Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey - especially some of our exhibitors," he stated, noting that nearly 800 people participate in putting on the event. "That includes volunteer interpreters, exhibitors and crafters."

In addition to early American craft demonstrations and sale of crafts at the Creekside Crafts Market, open fire cooking, bake oven demonstrations and butter and sauerkraut making will take place throughout the weekend. Samples of the early American foods will be available to purchase.

In the mechanical technology area, visitors will see an assortment of early gas and steam engines, models, antique cars and tractors sawmill and threshing demonstrations. At the Civil War encampment, re-enactors will offer a mini skirmish each day at the festival.

Buildings in the ironmaking complex will be open for tours, and a 22-minute introductory video on the history of Joanna Furnace will take place each hour in the blowing engine house. Hay Creek's Tri-County Heritage Library will have a special exhibit featuring vintage and antique quilts from the community.

There will be children's activities throughout the weekend, including candle and papermaking, early American games and Civil War marching and drilling. Children are invited to pick up their "chores list" at the festival gate, which will feature all the hands-on activities at the event. Those who complete all of the tasks will be rewarded with a free wagon ride.

Festival foods will include chicken potpie, hamburgers, hot dogs, turkey and roast beef sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, Mabel's open fire cooked soups, breads, hand-dipped ice cream, funnel cakes, french fries, fresh baked goods, homemade corn pie and stuffed bell peppers. Freshly pressed apple cider will be made daily in the Joanna Furnace cider mill.

Parking will be free on the festival grounds on Sept. 9, and free continuously running shuttle buses will be provided from an off-site parking area from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, and on Sept. 11. For more information about the festival, visit http://www.haycreek.org.