The community is invited to attend the 48th annual Hay Creek Festival, to be held on Friday through Sunday, Sept. 6 through 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at historic Joanna Furnace, 1250 Furnace Road, Geigertown. Attendees will be able to savor seasonal treats, enjoy live music, purchase handmade arts and crafts and learn about the past through re-enactments and displays. The festival, which is being presented by the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association (HCVHA), will also feature children's activities and a display of antique vehicles and machinery.

A highlight of this year's festival will be a Civil War encampment. This year, re-enactors will be from Thompson's Independent Battery C, which is new to the festival, and the 50th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (PVI).

"We will have an expanded encampment this year (featuring) more than 40 re-enactors," said Mark Zerr, HCVHA executive director. "The PVI will also (re-enact) some of the homefront during the encampment, where women will be cooking." The re-enactors will also have firing demonstrations on Saturday, Sept. 7, and Sept. 8.

Another popular aspect of the festival, according to Zerr, are the children's activities. Children will be able to pick up a "chores list" at the festival gate, which will feature all the hands-on activities available at the event. Upon completion of a variety of tasks, children will be rewarded with a free wagon ride.

"A chore can be making a hand-dipped candle or getting answers to historical questions that they ask of the re-enactors," Zerr explained. "They can also (complete a chore) in the Civil War area by taking part in being a soldier. (The chores can be found) all over our 26 acres. They don't have to complete everything, just a required amount."

A variety of entertainment will take place on the main stage throughout the weekend, including Marian Gehman & Friends, who will perform a ventriloquist act on Sept. 6. "New this year is our Sunday act, the Evans Sisters," Zerr noted. "Their show features the music of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Connie Francis, the Andrews Sisters, Lennon Sisters and many more. The public should really enjoy them."

Musical groups performing on Sept. 7 will be Just Practicing, which will play cover tunes from the '60s, '70s and '80s, and Elm Grove, an acoustic trio that will perform a mix of traditional Celtic songs, fiddle tunes, maritime music and classic folk music. One Heart One Voice, a gospel quartet, will perform on Sept. 8. The Hay Creek Valley Gold Band will also perform folk and bluegrass music throughout the festival.

Festival food available throughout the weekend will include chicken potpie, hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork barbecue, turkey and roast beef sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, Mabel's open fire cooked soups, 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. Many of the festival foods are also available to purchase to take home. 

The early American crafts area will include demonstrations of open fire cooking and baking, as well as butter and sauerkraut making. Samples will be available.

The creekside craft market will offer items such as redware and stoneware pottery; ceramics; hand-blown and stained glass; soaps and lotions; candles and beeswax products; jewelry; knitted, crocheted and quilted items; and woodcrafts, including bowls and utensils.

In the mechanical technology area, visitors will see an assortment of early gas and steam engines, models, antique cars and tractors and sawmill and threshing demonstrations. A World War II encampment will also be featured in this area. Each day of the festival at 1 p.m., there will be a parade of antique cars, trucks and tractors.

In the Joanna Furnace mule stable, Hay Creek's Tri-County Heritage Library will feature special exhibits from two area families - the Bard and Plank families. The library will also offer various local history books and maps for sale. 

Joanna Furnace is located 3 miles north of Morgantown on Route 10. Parking on Sept. 6 will be on the festival grounds. Free continuously running shuttle buses will be available on Sept. 7 and 8 only at Weaver's Orchard, 40 Fruit Lane, Morgantown.

An admission fee will be charged. There will be separate prices for adults and children ages 6 to 12. Children age 5 and younger will be admitted for free. For more information, visit www.haycreek.org.