ANTES FORT -- Some new events and activities are coming to the 26th Annual Fort Antes Historical Days this weekend.
Oh, there will be tractors, carriage rides, craft show and flea market, chicken barbecue, apple boil and fireworks… just like every other year.
But there's gonna be another kind of excitement on the grounds this year that's sure to capture the attention of adults and kids alike.
And it's all about animals… like pigs and sheep… and snakes and lizards.
Clyde Peeling's Reptiland will have two shows at the weekend of fun for everyone.
The first at 11 a.m. Saturday will be Clyde Peeling's Reptile Show with live reptiles. The second, at 1 p.m. Saturday will feature Clyde Peeling's Reptiland Forest Program with live animals from the rain forest, from floor to canopy.
In reference to the pigs and sheep, youth will have a fun time at the Greased Pig and Mutton Bustin' contests. Montoursville High School's Future Farmers of America members will be among those chasing greased pigs and Sugar Valley Rural Charter School's FFA will be in the spotlight bustin' muttons.
Anyone who wishes to participate in the contests may sign up prior to the events, both scheduled from 3-5 p.m. Saturday in the upper field at the recreation grounds.
Also new this year is "Touch-a-Truck" where local youngsters interested in becoming members of fire companies will have an opportunity to actually get up close and personal to the emergency equipment. There will be fire trucks as well as emergency service vehicles available.
Talk about unique vehicles, this year's Historical Days will also feature race cars on display. And horse-drawn carriage rides are back again this year.
Entertainment is always a big part of any event and this one is no different with the Sugar Valley Community Band on state at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by the Catawissa Military Band at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, Fair Play Brass will play at 5 p.m., Open Mic will be on stage at 5:30 p.m., Tim McNett Band will perform 7:30 p.m, and square dancing will round out the night at 8 p.m. On Friday night tractor and truck pulls will begin at 6 p.m., stopping at 9 p.m. when the lights will go out and a gala fireworks display will be held. After the fireworks, the pulls will continue.
Saturday's line-up begins with breakfast in the fire hall at 7 p.m. A classic car show begins with registration at 9 a.m. and awarding of trophies at 3 p.m. At 10 a.m., tractor and truck pulls will begin. There will be a ball throwing contest at lower field home plate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and free barrel train rides at the railroad station beginning at 10 a.m. At noon, apple pie contest judging will be held, followed by auctioning the pies. Clark McClain Band will be on the stage from 6 to 8 p.m.
In addition, the Balloon Man will be handing out balloons Friday and Saturday and "Shadows of the Old West," a group of mostly retired educators will re-enact scenes from the Old West with a lot of comedy. They welcome everyone to their encampment where they enjoy sharing their knowledge of the Old West and the objects used by early pioneers.
Food will also be plentiful both days, with chicken barbecues, an apple butter boil, a ham dinner on Friday night, and of course lots of hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries.
The grounds open at 4 p.m.Thursday; noon on Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday.
As in recent years, the Young Marines will be manning the entrances. Admission is free; parking is $2.