Ice Cream Social
The Ice Cream Social is an old-fashioned event that fits in with the turn of the 19th Century. It's held on the third Saturday in July each year from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on the grounds at Wommack Mill.
- There will be ice cream and desserts for sale, along with tea and lemonade from the Historical Society.
- The Fair Grove Senior Center will have drinks for sale.
- Hilltop Pizza will have pulled pork and brats.
- The Mill will be open and grinding, so you and the kids and grandkids can see how it actually works!
- We want classic cars, trucks and tractors displayed, so bring yours and park in front of the mill so everybody can admire.
- There will not be a fireworks display in 2019. The fireworks in past years had been provided by the Parks Board.
Music will provided by two entertainers.
- The Missing Man Trio from 5:30 - 6:30
- Sarah Smith, who is from the Springfield Conservatory, from 6:30 - 8:30
Apply to use our facilities here
Prices
Rent the Mill
Apply to rent the Mill as a venue for weddings, birthday parties or other events. This is a very popular event site,
with rustic surroundings, lots of trees and scenery in a quiet environment. Rental prices are on the application form.
Get a rental application form at this link
Apply to Perform as a Musical Act at the Heritage Reunion
We are currently looking for a music director, for the present please contact
Please complete the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion Music Application
Join the Historical Society!
We always welcome new members to help in our efforts to preserve and promote our historical area.
Download the application to fill it out on your computer, then print it to save time.
Get a membership application at this link
Our monthly meetings are held on the third Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., every month at the new fire station.
The Heritage Reunion
The Fair Grove Historical and Preservation Society organizes and hosts an annual craft fair every year, on the last full weekend in September. This is by far our biggest annual event, with tens of thousands of people attending and enjoying the sights, sounds and food each day. Attendance is free. Parking is usually not free but it's just a few dollars to park all day. There is a shuttle to transport you from most parking lots to the main event. There are many booths to buy food and drink and continuous free music performances in two locations.
Please be reminded, this event is only on Saturday and Sunday. You will not be allowed on the grounds to shop before Saturday at 8 a.m. for safety reasons. There are no pre-sales or early bird specials.
There are several hundred craft booths, and we are picky about whom we allow. You won't find anything in our booths except quality original and home-made craft items, and all will be family friendly. There is plenty to look at, and many people do all of their Christmas shopping all in one day. There is something for men, women and children of all ages.
If you want to have a booth, you must apply and comply with all of the rules in the application packet, which you can get on the Application menu at the top of this page.
You will not find politicians in the parade, or political booths. Flea market booths are also prohibited, and vendors are not allowed to sell commercial items in booths.
What you will find are high quality hand made items, homemade crafts and goods of all kinds.
The Historical Society publishes a guidebook to the event with a map, and politicians are free to purchase an ad if they wish. The book contains a map and a directory of all events for both days.
Parade
The parade starts at Fair Grove High School on Saturday at 10 a.m. and follows Orchard Street, Highway 125 and Main Street.
If you have an old car, truck or tractor you are encouraged to come to the High School at 8:30 a.m. to join in the parade. There is no entry fee.
If you wish you may have walkers next to your entry handing out candy and treats to the kids who will line the parade route. Please don't throw items, which may cause injury. We want to have a safe event for everybody.
Music
After the parade finishes on Saturday the music starts at two locations. The front porch of the Mill is popular, and the Gazebo is a very shady spot to enjoy the performances. All musicians are unpaid, but you can support them by purchasing CDs and tapes if they're available.
A Sunday morning non-denominational church service is held, followed by religious music performances for the remainder of the Sunday event.
Demonstrations
Wommack Mill is a grist mill that has been fully restored, and will be operating during the Heritage Reunion.
There will also be a threshing machine and other demonstrations of farm and family operations from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
There is a threshing machine working at times, a working sawmill and a blacksmith shop.
You can watch the authentic operation of these crafts and more throughout both days. Check the program for times and places.
