By Karen Bloom
The event brings out the best of Old Bethpage Village Restoration in springtime. It is a panorama of 19th century life, opening a window on Long Island's past, culminating with the village's commemoration of Decoration Day, as it was observed in the early years of this holiday. The activities, which range from a huge crafts show to sheep shearing, delight young and old alike.Sheep shearing, that annual rite of spring throughout the farming community, is demonstrated throughout the weekend. Visitors are always amazed to watch a skilled farmer, with only a set of hand shears, go about the task of removing fleece from the Village's flock. Young children also can enjoy the interactive Farmer For A Day exhibit, where they can help the 19th century farmer perform simple chores.A crafts show and sale will take place in the recreated Mineola Fairgrounds and Exhibition Hall. Browse among a large variety of handmade crafts.Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, and enjoy some old fashioned entertainment while eating lunch on one of the many with picnic tables set up throughout the village. Or have your lunch while taking in some Old Time Base Ball action.After lunch, join in with the Village's musicians and dancers each day and learn (or just watch) the steps to the traditional dances of the day, performed by the contra-dancers each afternoon. The Old Bethpage Village Brass Band, outfitted in their Civil War period attire, add to the fun, performing each day, at 2 and 3:15 p.m.The Paumanok Driving Club is on hand to conduct a workshop on personal transportation of the time. Visitors can watch a demonstration of harnessing and hitching horses, and carriage driving, showcasing the elegant horse drawn carriages of the day. By contrast, Long Island's Model A Ford Club will have several authentically restored vintage autos on display by the ballfield.One of the highlights of the weekend, for baseball lovers, anyway, is seeing baseball from years ago. Baseball fans can "experience baseball the way it was meant to be played," as they say at Old Bethpage Village, on real grass for the love of the game. The renowned Old Time Base Ball League, adhering to the rules of the 1860s and 1880s, plays matches each afternoon at Hewlett Base Ball Grounds. In addition, fans can be part of an Old Time Base Ball Clinic, held each day with uniformed players. Try catching, throwing, and hitting, using replicas of 19th century equipment. Children and adults can also play "rounders," baseball's early predecessor.It all culminates on Monday, with a journey back to Decoration Day of the early 1870s. The Village's Civil War veterans commemorate Decoration Day, or Memorial Day, as it was first observed in those days. It all began in 1868 when General John A. Logan, Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Army veterans' organization, called upon veterans and citizens to decorate soldiers' graves with flowers on the 30th of May. The program, scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., includes a parade through the Village, a patriotic program at Manetto Hill Church and ceremonies at the cemetery honoring the departed veterans of the war.
Old Bethpage Village's Spring Festival
Saturday through Monday, May 27-29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $7 adults, $5 seniors (60+) and children 4-14. Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage. (516) 572-8400 or www.oldbethpage.org.
