Farm heritage on display at fairgrounds

Mar. 25—It was all fun, tractors and more at the Lee Regional Fairgrounds Friday for the second annual NC Farm Heritage Days.

With clear Carolina skies overhead, and the feel of the warm sun on faces from above, made it the perfect day to spend several hours admiring days gone by, with tinsmith and blacksmith work on display, homemade combustible engines, a 1930's portable sawmill demonstration, old farm tractors from the mid-20th century, antique cars, early riding lawn mowers, and the sounds of vendors, and sight-seers taking in the excitement of days only mentioned in stories, books, and in the minds of those that lived the life when these old engines, these magnificent machines of agricultural industry were once a common sight on a drive through the countryside, are all but gone except for those in museums and available to admire at events such as this one.

But you can still go enjoy it all today.

The second day of the event continues on today (Saturday) until 5 p.m. with all the things listed above, and live music to boot. C-Cape President Patrick Smith spoke about the event as he looked around the fairgrounds.

"We're really tickled with the turn out so far, and later we will have live music, more vendors, and just have a good time and enjoy the weather," he said.

Mike Sawaya, a local tinsmith, was on-hand to demonstrate to the public things that would have been available from the late 18th century, on through the early 20th century. Sawaya had items he made with tin, from coffee cups that the old cowboys would have taken out on the range, to canteens, and wall candle sconces, two of which are on display at the House in the Horseshoe.

Southern Lee FFA members were on hand at the event to inform the public on what they do.

"Southern Lee FFA is a great way to encourage new agricultural opportunities, and not only that but educational opportunities with competitions for students, as a way to explore and find out what a student may or may not be interested in pursuing." said SLHS Junior, Emma Patterson.

Darrell Elliott, a representative for the sawmill on-site, spoke while demonstrations of pine logs were being sawed into lumber.

"The engine is brought onsite, and we actually move it here," Elliot explained. "What a company would do back then they would move the sawmill on-site and cut the timber as they felled the trees, because it was easier to transport cut lumber than the logs themselves."

The sawmill was originally donated to C-Cape by Glenn Holland, and remains on fairgrounds property year-round, and demonstrations will continue on through Saturday.

"We will have the sawmill going again in the fall during the fair," added Elliot, "and then possibly again next spring."

If you are looking for family fun entertainment, then come on out to the fairgrounds today for the final day of the NC Farm Heritage Days antique tractor show.

There is a lawn tractor ride for the kids, and it's suggested that wives and girlfriends bring their kids-at-heart husbands and boyfriends to the fairgrounds for food, live music, and a lot of old fun engines to admire.

Admission is free and open to the general public; everyone is welcome.