March 28, 2024

It is Jordbruksdagarna time in Bishop Hill

BISHOP HILL, Ill. — Bishop Hill’s annual 19th century harvest festival, Jordbruksdagarna, will take place Sept. 25-26.

As always, there will be a variety of traditional craft demonstrations, food, vendors and hands-on activities for the children all over the village during the 49th Jordbruksdagarna — Swedish for “earth work days” — from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Demonstrations, hands-on activities and music are all free.

In the village park, artisans will make rope, process flax, carve wood, forge metal and showcase butter-making and more. Vendors also will be selling farm produce, pumpkins, pioneer popcorn, baked goods and crafts in the park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Musical performances will include Hammer and Pick at noon and 2 p.m. and the Nordic Dancers at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day at the gazebo. Old-fashioned children’s games will be conducted in the park at 2 p.m. each day.

Jordbruksdagarna is not just located in the park, but all over Bishop Hill. At the Colony School, the Old Settlers’ Association will be serving their famous Colony Stew. In and behind the Bjorklund Hotel from noon to 4 p.m. each day, there will be demonstrations on how to press sorghum and make candles.

Visitors, especially children, can try their hand at shelling corn, making bricks and creating a cornhusk doll. Visitors can explore Henry County’s agricultural heritage at the Henry County Historical Museum, where a variety of antique tractors will be on display outdoors.

Each day at the Henry County Historical Museum, the Bishop Hill Agricultural Association will demonstrate corn shelling and conduct a kid pedal tractor pull at 11 a.m., have an antique tractor parade around town at noon, threshing at 1 p.m. and finish with corn shelling at 2 p.m.

People movers will also be available to transport people around town to experience many of the activities, museums and stores that Bishop Hill has to offer.

On Saturday only, the BHHA Acting Troupe will perform their Bishop Hill Colony history skit, Dirty Laundry, at the Steeple Building Museum. Author Mary Davidsaver will be having a book signing at the Prairie Arts Center.

Patt & Possum — Patt Plunkett and Charlie Walden — will perform a concert of traditional fiddle music that will get your feet a stompin’ behind the Bjorklund Hotel from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.

For more details about these or other Jordbruksdagarna activities, call 309-927-3899, email bhha@mymctc.net, check the Bishop Hill Heritage Association Facebook page or view www.visitbishophill.com. Bring a lawn chair and help Bishop Hill celebrate its 175th anniversary.

Jordbruksdagarna is sponsored by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Bishop Hill Arts Council, Old Settlers’ Association. VASA National Archives, Bishop Hill Volunteer Fire Department and numerous local businesses, with the assistance of many volunteers.

The event is partly funded by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Nature’s Creations, State Bank of Toulon, Brookfield Renewable Energy, Wilbur and Marilyn Nelson, Bill and Susan Sherrard Foundation and the Henry County Independent Insurance Agents Association.

WJRE is the major media sponsor. The Galva FFA and Galva Boy Scouts provide special assistance.