Poole Forge Day, featuring hayrides, a silent auction, live music, historical demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors and children's activities, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic Poole Forge, 1940 Main St., Narvon (Churchtown). Admission is free and open to the public.

The event will feature activities for visitors of all ages. For children, there will be a craft area where they will be able to take part in Arie's Twig Art.

Michael Reiset will make balloon animals, and there will be pumpkin painting. "A local farmer donates a lot of little pumpkins," said Dawn Ekdahl, Poole Forge executive director, noting that barrel rides for children as well as hayrides for people of all ages will be featured. "The barrel ride and hayride are full the entire day; kids love them."

New demonstrations will be featured at this year's event. "New this year will be Dane Fox, who will do chainsaw wood carving; candle making and soap making; rug hooking; and apple pressing," noted Ekdahl. "These are all demonstrations that people can take part in."

The day will also include a wildlife show by Raven Ridge Wildlife Center, an Amish youth volleyball tournament, cornhole, a sale of one-dollar books, a pony cart and pet parade and demonstrations by the Lancaster Spinners and Weavers Guild. Lancaster Watershed Leadership Academy and Lancaster Water Initiative will be on hand to talk about water conservation, and there will be a hot air balloon walk-about, which allows visitors to walk into a partially inflated balloon.

A highlight of the day will be a turtle race at 3:15 p.m. Visitors who "purchase" green rubber turtles that will float down Conestoga Creek will be in the running for monetary prizes. The first turtle across the finish line will get the grand prize. There will also be smaller prizes for the other top finishers.

There will also be a silent auction, with goods and gift certificates donated by local businesses and craft vendors. "We got some interesting antiques that were donated, and fall plants and baskets," Ekdahl said. "(Vendors will offer) painted stones, walking sticks and 3D printer (items). There will be a crafter who makes flowers out of pipe cleaners." She added that another popular vendor is Long's Horseradish of Lancaster.

The 18th-century Welsh ironmaster's mansion will be open for guided tours, and live music will be offered on the mansion porch. "We will have a live string band featuring fiddles, violins and guitars," noted Ekdahl.

Offering food and beverages will be the Father and Son Barbecue, the Waffle Wagon and Beiler's Hand-Rolled Pretzels. Poole Forge will offer soft-serve ice cream and smoothies. DJ Jay Mattson will provide the music.

The event will end with an airplane candy drop, weather permitting.

Historic Poole Forge is located on Route 23, 7 miles east of New Holland and 3 miles east of the Shady Maple Complex. For more information and a detailed schedule of Poole Forge Day events, visit www.historicpooleforge.org or www.facebook.com/pooleforge. Those with questions may email Ekdahl at hpf1940@gmail.com.