Monroe Lake hosts its annual Heritage Days Rendezvous at Paynetown State Recreation Area from Friday, July 10 until Sunday, July 12.
The centerpiece of the event is the Heritage Village, which will be located by Lakeview Shelter on far side of the swimming beach. Reenactors will portray time periods from 1745 to the 1890s.
The Heritage Village will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. on July 10 as the reenactors set up camp, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 11 for demonstrations, activities, and live music, and from 9 a.m. to noon on July 12 for a non-denominational church service and camp breakdown.
Monroe Lake’s interpretive staff is also offering several additional activities as part of the event. A drop-in program about beavers and their role in the fur trade will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11 at the Paynetown amphitheater.
A Felt Doll Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, July 11 at 8 p.m.; the cost for the doll workshop is $3 per person, limited to 20 participants, and people must sign up in advance at the Paynetown Activity Center between 1 and 5 p.m. that day. Basic sewing skills (simple straight stitch) are required and an adult helper is strongly recommended for younger children.
On Sunday, July 12, an interpreter will have a variety of pioneer-era toys and games for people to try out on the Paynetown Activity Center patio from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
A bonus activity will be offered for people visiting the opposite side of Monroe Lake at Fairfax SRA, 9801 S. Fairfax Road, Bloomington. On Saturday, July 11, an interpreter will be at the Fairfax swimming beach from 2:30 to 4 p.m. For a donation, people can create their own plaster carving to celebrate our region’s historic limestone carvings.
Additional details about the Heritage Days Rendezvous can be found on Monroe Lake’s July Program Schedule at stateparks.in.gov/2954.htm. Questions should be directed to the Paynetown Activity Center at 812-837-9967 or email Jill Vance at [email protected].
Paynetown SRA (stateparks.IN.gov/2954.htm) is at 4850 South State Road 446, Bloomington, 47401. The Property Entrance Fee is $7 per vehicle with Indiana license plate or $9 per vehicle for out-of-state visitors.
Cost: $7 per vehicle with Indiana license plates; $9 per vehicle for out-of-state
For more information contact:
Paynetown Activity Center
(812) 837-9967
[email protected]