Two Historical Harvest Festivals this Weekend

The annual Harvest Festival at the South County Museum in Narragansett will feature over 20 different craft and food vendors, including traditional jonnycakes, clam chowder and homemade root beer. There will also be children's games, an apple pie baking contest and demonstrations, including spinning, weaving, rug-hooking and chair caning. Students from Narragansett High School's Future Farmers of America will sell mums that they've been tending all summer.

Meanwhile, in North Kingstown Smith's Castle will host its annual Plantation Days on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This festival features a fashion show of period clothing at 2 p.m. on both days as well as demonstrations of food preparation using 18th-century utensils and recipes. Military musket and cannon drills and fife and drum crops will be presented and ongoing children's activities will include bookbinding and quill pen writing, candlemaking and games.

Strong Woman, a Wampanoag traditional artist specializing in crafts such as basketmaking, storytelling and the presentation of the Native American way of life will also be there for both days. Colonial era music and dancing is also slated, as well as a food concessions.

Admission to Plantation Days at Smith's Castle, located at 55 Richard Smith Drive, just off Route 1, about a mile north of Wickford village, is $5; $1 for children 6 to 12; and free to youngsters under 5. For more information about Plantation Days, call 294-3521 or visit the Smith's Castle Website

Admission to the Sounty County Museum's Heritage Harvest Fesitvalis by donation. Entrance into the museum is through Ann Hoxie Lane, off Boston Neck Road, across from Town Beach. The event will be held rain or shine.
For more information on South County Museum's Harvest Festival, call 783-5400 or visit the South County Museum's Website