EAST PRAIRIE - Visitors will step back in time when they step into Big Oak Tree State Park for its annual Living History Day from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Rope making, basket weaving, flint knapping and making canvas floor cloths will be among the demonstrations of old time skills on display.
Vicki Jackson, interpretative resource specialist with the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, said the event is sponsored annually as a way for the public to experience the old time crafts and skills by people who still know how to do it.
Many of the things we take for granted today, required crafting when Southeast Missouri was first being settled, she pointed out.
"A piece or rope back in the 1800s had to be made before they could use it," Jackson said. "Today you just go to the store and buy it."
According to Jackson, the Living History Day annually draws several thousand people to the Park, located 15 miles south of East Prairie on Highway 102.
While the crafts and demonstrations draw many of the visitors, she said others come for the music. This year visitors can bring a chair and listen to the group "Bluegrass Revival" perform.
Also visitors can take in the exhibits of the Southeast Explorer Mobile Learning Center. Refreshments will be available for purchase as well.
With the wide variety of activities, everyone seems to find something to interest them at the Living History Day, Jackson said. She added children particularly enjoy the hands-on activities such as making a cane fishing pole, dipping a candle or twisting together a piece of rope. "There is something for everyone," Jackson said. "Make a whole day of it or come for just a little bit. It is just a fun, relaxing day."
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