"This is a day that's all about fun, food, entertainment and history," said Marcus Snow, describing the Pig Iron Fest and Car Show. The event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at East Donegal Township Chickies Creek Day Use Area, 1467 Long Lane, Columbia.

The event will feature a car show, with categories including classic, antique and street rod cars. "We will have 12 trophies in different categories for the winners," Snow stated, adding that people can register their cars on the day of the event.

The Pig Iron Fest will feature crafters, artists, a food court, a kids' zone, live entertainment and history tours.

"Our kids' zone is always very popular," Snow remarked. "We'll have lots of activities, including a hayride, crafts and pumpkin painting."

Live music will be performed by Tim Rinard, and juggler Chris Ivey will also entertain.

Vendors will be on site, featuring a variety of items. "We have someone who sells 19th-century-inspired jewelry," Snow said, adding that another vendor will offer crafts inspired by local Native American tribes. "We'll have a blacksmith and a guy who uses what we call a 'putt-putt' engine, or an engine dating from the early 1900s, to mix ice cream."

Snow noted that while the festival is traditionally held adjacent to the Musselman Vesta Iron Furnace, this year's event will take place in a new venue. "This year will be a little different, but we are still going to focus on history," he said. "We'll have some displays about the pig iron industry, and we'll be doing tours of a historic farm on the property."

The Pig Iron Fest is a way to honor the history of the region. "This area was very important in the production of pig iron," Snow explained. "It was ideally situated along the river for easy transport. What is now the Northwest River Trail was once a big industrial zone."

The festival is sponsored by the Donegal Rotary Club, and money raised by the event will be used to preserve local historic sites. Proceeds will also benefit the East Donegal/Conoy Area Christian Food Bank and will be used to support veterans' organizations, including Glenn Hope Care Farm in Felton.

For more information on the Pig Iron Fest and Car Show, contact Snow at marcus@stagesplanning.com or 717-824-0694.