Come celebrate fall with the Cass County Historical Society and Cass County Historical Commission at the historic Newton House’s Fall Festival this Sunday, Oct. 3, from 1-4:30 pm.
The Fall Festival will include live music by Old Country and Lawless Jam, sawmill and blacksmithing demonstrations, tractor and horse-drawn hay rides through the Fred Russ Forest, tours through the historic home, a petting zoo courtesy of BJR Ranch, and a number of kids’ activities. Blue Dart Art, an artists’ group, will be painting en plain air, a form practiced by 19th century artists.
Vendors include bread, baked goods, and coffee by the Mallini Family Bakery; flowers by BJR Ranch; honey by Zero Day; refurbished antiques by Roush Heritage Farm; and vendors offering maple syrup and wood carving/basketry. Brats and hot dogs will be available courtesy of Jake’s Country Meats, along with other refreshments.
Folks from the Cass County Conservation District and Parks and Recreation will also be on hand with fun activities and demonstrations. Books on Cass County history and historic plat maps will be available for purchase from the Historical Commission.
Entrance to the event is free, however, donations are appreciated. Anyone interested in joining the Cass County Historical Society will be able to do so at the festival, with new members being entered into a drawing for several prizes.
The Newton House is a 19th century Italianate home constructed by George Newton, who came to Cass County with his father in 1830. It served as the home of the Newton family until the 1930s, when it and the surrounding forest were purchased by Fred Russ. Michigan State University has owned the land since the 1940s, leasing the house to the Cass County Historical Commission. The house is maintained due to the efforts of volunteers from the Historical Society and Historical Commission.
