"It's a true community day," said Poole Forge executive director Dawn Ekdahl when describing the annual celebration of Poole Forge Day. "Except for (purchasing) food and tickets for the turtle race, everything else is free."

This year, Poole Forge Day will take place at Historic Poole Forge, 1940 Main St., Narvon, on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature children's activities, food, crafts, live music, goat races and more.

Volleyball will start the day. "It's an Amish youth volleyball tournament, and it goes all day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the ballfield," Ekdahl said. "There are at least four to six nets set up."

In the picnic pavilion, there will be a presentation by the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center. The program will feature live animals, including reptiles and raptors such as hawks and owls. Arts and crafts will also be available for children in the pavilion, including twig art, where children can make crafts using items from nature.

The popular goat races will take place in the afternoon. This year, instead of an obstacle course, the goats will run a straight line course. "It's funny. People love it," said Ekdahl.

There will also be a turtle race in the afternoon. Visitors who "purchase" green rubber turtles that will float down the Conestoga River will be in the running for prizes. "The first turtle across the line gets the grand prize," noted Ekdahl. There will also be smaller prizes for the other top finishers.

The Penn's Woods Puppet Theater will present three shows throughout the course of the day. This year's presentation will be "Mister Meaney and the Hot Air Balloon." There will also be barrel train rides offered for children. New this year will be a hayride.

Another new attraction will be "Talk Turkey" with Scott Basehore. "He is a notable turkey caller and a turkey call crafter. He has won all sorts of awards, and he will be talking about turkey calls and turkey hunting," Ekdahl noted.

Members of Bangor Episcopal Church will present a 300-year anniversary display. "They will set up in the mansion," said Ekdahl, noting that Churchtown is named after Bangor Church. "It is one of the oldest Episcopal churches in the country."

A Gruber wagon will be on display, as well as antique brass cars that will be exhibited by members of the Susquehanna Valley Region of the Horseless Carriage Club of America.

The Lancaster Spinners and Weavers Guild will offer demonstrations throughout the day, and there will be a silent auction, with goods and gift certificates donated by local businesses.

The 18th-century Welsh ironmaster's mansion will be open for tours, and live music will be offered throughout the day on the porch.

Offering food and beverages will be the Caernarvon Fire Company Ladies' Auxiliary Food Wagon and The Pretzel Place. Ice cream will also be available. DJ Jay Mattson will provide music.

The day is scheduled to end with a candy drop.

Historic Poole Forge is located 3 miles east of the Shady Maple complex on Route 23. For more information, visit http://www.historicpooleforge.org or http://www.facebook.com/HistoricPooleForge or call 484-797-5302.