Heritage Canyon, 515 N. 4th Street, Fulton, IL, has expanded its Fall Festival recipe of activities, by incorporating some aspects from past City of Fulton events. On Saturday, September 29, and Sunday, September 30, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days, Early American Crafters (EAC), reenactors, and others will take visitors back in time, as they recreate history in the mid-1800’s. During this special event there is a charge of $2 per adult and $1 per child (age 15 and under.)
One important feature should be accessed by Saturday visitors. Please park at the Fulton Corporation parking lot, on the corner of 8th Avenue and 2nd Street. The Jolly Trolley will pick up and drop off persons who visit Heritage Canyon. This City of Fulton service is free.
Hot dogs and Walking Tacos will be for sale.
Andresen Nature Center, next door at 409 N. 4th Street, is partnering with the EAC. Outside, enjoy gunny sack races, bounce houses, and a presentation by Fulton High School Drone Club. Indoor displays include local wildlife, insects, and flora found along the Upper Mississippi River. On Saturday at 11:00 a.m., Dave Harrison will discuss “Exterminated and Extirpated Animals of Illinois.” Species not yet extinct have disappeared from large areas of their original, natural habitat. Wildlife experts say these creatures have been extirpated from parts of their former range. At 1:30 p.m. on both days, Director Kyle Kopf will summarize the first year of Andresen Nature Center’s “Monarch Butterfly Nursery.” Two crysalises have yet to open, so you may see new Monarchs emerge.
Atop the hill, decorate a pumpkin donated by Bimm McGinnis Melons, Inc. Listen to storyteller Rev. Dan Lybarger at his teepee, and meet Little John the Buckskinner.
Chat with numerous people who will demonstrate crafts. In the Town Hall Cindy Taulbee will weave baskets, and Margaret Pyfer will cane chairs. Outside, Larry Jepsen returns with hand made brooms in all sizes.
Outside the authentic 1860’s house you will find chickens. Inside, Jennifer Garden will be knitting. Next door in the summer kitchen, Liz Keller and Barb Gluesing will dip candles.
Annis Bear will host the church. On both days Coral Flikkema will perform on Dulcimer. She will be joined on Sunday by Kim Stuart on Mountain Dulcimer.
Heritage Canyon shimmers in the fall. The Canyon is dotted with 11 buildings. In 1967, Harold and Thelma Wierenga bought the abandoned limestone quarry and transformed it into a charming recreated village.
For more details about the events at Heritage Canyon, please visit http://www.https://www.facebook.com/WierengasHeritageCanyon.
The site is ideal for nature walks throughout the seasons. Cost to traverse Heritage Canyon is by donations only, all of which are used for improvement of the park.
While the venue focuses on 19th century Midwest history, the site has a history of its own. From the mid-1800’s to 1954, the “canyon” was a deep limestone quarry. Outcroppings and strata are clearly visible along the perimeter of the canyon. Where the modern caretaker’s home sits, rock was crushed for field fertilizer, road beds, wing dams, and levees. Trucks, trains, and Mississippi River barges hauled it away.
Self-guided walking tours, marked by numbered yellow arrows on brick paths, will guide you through a pleasant experience. You may be greeted by wild turkeys and white tail deer.
Photography is another popular activity of visitors. A covered bridge and a swinging bridge over a ravine are great stops for photographs. The Mighty Mississippi River is across the street, at the end of the canyon parking lot.