STOCKTON, Alabama — An Old Time Country Festival will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 30 at the Baldwin County Bicentennial Park in Stockton. The event will include a living history demonstration from the 15^th Calvary Company C, Baldwin County Rangers, plowing and blacksmith demonstrations, pony and train rides, antique cars and tractors, buck dancing, arts and crafts, door prizes and numerous other activities.

The event is sponsored by the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History. Felisha Anderson, director, said it is an appropriate event for the venue. “Not only is Baldwin County rich in history it’s a place where great American old-time country festivals are held,” she said.

The Sixth Annual Old Time Country Festival will “have something for the entire family.  For Mom and Pops, you will find fresh farm produce for the plucking, an antique car show, plowing and blacksmith demonstrations, bluegrass music and buck dancing that you won’t find anywhere else on the planet earth,” Anderson said. “Around the bin for the kiddos, you will find inflatables, pony and wagon rides, face paintings, the on-site game theatre, and chill – the frozen yogurt wagon.”

Starbucks coffee and loaf cakes will also be available, she said.

This year’s event will focus on the county’s rich agricultural industry. “We have incorporated a Farmers Market into this year’s event showcasing Sirmon, Double L, Peturis, Burris and Sweet Bee Farm Markets,” Anderson said. “We are very excited to highlight a very rich part of Baldwin County’s history during this year’s festival.”

Displays, both historic and current, will demonstrate the evolution of agriculture industry, while vendors will be on hand to provide food and refreshments throughout the day. 

Among the scheduled performers includes The Chestangs, Unknown Bluegrass Band and Ashleigh Ryan.

Bicentennial Park is the perfect location of the festival, Anderson said, featuring 105 acres of exhibits and recreation dedicated to preserving the county’s rich culture and leaving a historical legacy for future generations.  The park exhibits include:

• 19^th Century Country store, a real store that once stood in Lower Bryant Landing in North Baldwin County and was used by Baldwin County citizens.
• Montpelier Methodist Church, an example of 19^th century period architecture which still include its original pews, pulpit, chandeliers, and stained glass windows.
• Blacksmith shop.
• Working farm.
• Native American Village featuring a full scale replica of how the Native American ancestors in Baldwin County lived.  The exhibit includes a replica of a 1800’s trade house, four winter homes, stockade gardens and a ceremonial mound.
• Veterans Memorial Park which pays tribute to brave men and women who have and continue to serve their country.  Each monument placed at the Memorial pays tribute to the veterans of that war era and acknowledges the sacrifices each of these brave soldiers.

The park also includes a pavilion and picnic area and the Davida Hastie Nature Trail that has been dedicated as a living remembrance to of Davida R. Hastie, a longtime local historian. The 2-mile nature trail provides visitors to the Park an opportunity to view Baldwin County’s indigenous flora, fauna and wetlands.  The trails wide variety of flora is identified by markers placed along the trail. 

Bicentennial Park is at 52133 Highway 225 in Stockton. For more information about the festival, call the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History at 251-580-1897.