Historic Bowens Mills Presents - "IT'S CIDER TIME FESTIVALS"  Steam & Gasoline Engine Show Weekend
	Bowens Mills kicks off the first of three "Its Cider Time Festivals 2009" Saturday & Sunday September 26th & 27th. There will be the making of cider on the old press, grinding of corn meal, tours of the old mill, horse drawn wagon rides, and good food with live music. This special weekend will also have the added feature of Steam & Gasoline Engines along with many old time demonstrations. There will be a large display of antique tractors and a full schedule of events both days. This antique engine event will be cosponsored by the Barry County Steam, Gas and Antique Machinery Association and is open to non club members also. Schedule of events; 12:00 Gates open for touring "The Show" & Historical Park 1:00 Cider Pressing & Water Power Cornmeal Grinding Demonstrations 1:30 Tractor Parade down by the Old Mill 2:00 Tractor Pull at the pulling track near Bowens Mills Gathering Place 3:00 Cider Pressing & Water Power Cornmeal Grinding Demonstrations 3:45 Threshing Demonstration followed by Hammermill Demonstration 4:30 Cider Pressing & Water Power Cornmeal Grinding Demonstrations The ‘putt-putts’ of the old engines will be heard across the grounds. Numerous other steam and gasoline engines will also be displayed.  Many will be working so that all can see how things were done in the old days. The Watered Powered Grist Mill was built in 1864 and is a Michigan State Historic Site. It is a working museum. Its mission is to preserve the history of Yankee Springs and Barry County for future generations to learn from and enjoy. The gigantic cider press, (which was not new at the time) was moved to the mill property in 1902. The old timers tell how it was in the old days, when horses and wagons loaded with their apples were lined all the way back into town, waiting their turn at the press. Today folks come from miles around to see the past live again as bushel and bushels of apples are made into gallons and gallons of cider on the old press. Thirty years ago, the late Neal Cook and his wife Marion, with the help of family and friends restored the old press which had not been used for many years. After weeks of cleaning and preparation with scouring and scrubbing. The press was ready to run. All of the big leather belts were replaced and the final drops of oil added. The rumble and rattle of the huge overhead pulleys and the intriguing fragrance as the juices began to flow gave a feeling of awe and kinship with Mr. Bowen as "The Past Lives Again". When "It’s Cider Time" at Historic Bowens Mills, folks can share with their children the excitement over nature, farm animals, historical activities, and harvest time experiences. The large Belgian horses will be on hand for families to relax and enjoy a free wagon ride which tours the grounds of Bowens Mills.  Live music both days with a special performance by Jerry Ball & Jaime Moore on Sunday. All of the historical buildings will be open with costumed craftsmen demonstrating and selling their wares. • 1864 four story water powered working Grist Mill • 1800’s water powered working Cider Mill • 1840’s two-story Plank House, the oldest house in Bowens Mills • 1850’s one-room School House, the oldest in Barry County • 1860’s 11 room Victorian House built by the Bowens • A Post & Beam Barn and Pioneer Farm area, home to Belgian Draft Horses, Miniature Horses, Chickens, Sheep, a Goat and a Llama • A Quaint Covered Bridge that crosses the Old Mill Stream • 17 foot Water Wheel, completed in 1999 • "Ye Ole Craft Shoppe" an artisans woodworking & cooper shop. • "The Fork River Trading Post" Log Cabin • "The Bowens Mills Gathering Place" an Arts & Entertainment Center • "The Saw Millers Cabin" down by the Old Mill Stream • 2006 One-Room Restored "Line Camp Cabin" located near the "Trappers Trading Post" • "The Miller’s Wife Store" with many items reminiscent of bygone days including; Bowens Mills Fresh Ground Corn Meal and Amish prepared Apple Butter and Peach Butter, antiques, books, jewelry and gift items. • "Granny’s Kitchen" Restaurant prepares Hot Apple Dumplings with Ice Cream, warm Donuts, Chili, Hot Dogs, Cider by the glass and soft drinks. October 3rd & 4th Historic Bowens Mills Mountain Men Encampment & Colonial Fiber Weekend: Co-sponsored by the Fork River Free Trappers with a authentic Mountain Men & Trapper living history encampment. There will also be colonial costumed craftsmen demonstrating and selling their works, live music, an old fashion barnyard pull Saturday at 2:00pm, horse drawn wagon rides, & fleece spinning demonstrations both days. October 10th & 11th Historic Bowens Mills Civil War Days: Featuring a large Living History Encampment. There will be a battle at 3:00 pm with a full schedule of special events, including artillery demonstrations, cider pressing, water powered cornmeal grinding and live old time music both days. Folks are encouraged bring their cameras and take a color tour through beautiful Yankee Springs Township and say "Yes to Yesterday" when you visit Historic Bowens Mills "It’s Cider Time Festivals". ALL CIDER TIME FESTIVALS INCLUDE: Free Horse Drawn Wagon Ride with admission, Cider pressing demonstrations on the 100+ year old water-powered cider press, stone ground corn grinding demonstrations on the huge mill stones, Pioneer Farm with animals, along with live music, many other history related activities. The "It’s Cider Time Festivals" are Saturdays & Sundays from noon to 5pm.  Gate fee is $5.00 for adults, children 12 years and under $3.00. The Old Mill is located in the heart of beautiful Yankee Springs Township, Barry County, MI just 2 miles north of Yankee Springs (Gun Lake) State Park. Watch for the Huge Millstone Marker at 55 Briggs Road, Middleville, MI 49333. Visit www.BowensMills.com or call 269-795-7530 for more information..  If you would like to help support this event, click here    Back to Home Page