Close to 4,000 people gathered at Fairmount Homes on June 4, 2011, to celebrate Heritage Day, making it one of the best Heritage Day events ever. The grounds were filled with old farm equipment, antique cars and tractors, a steam engine, a petting zoo, and artisans hand-crafting wares from bygone days. Much of the food was prepared the old-fashioned way: homemade donuts, french fries cut and fried on-site, ice cream churned with hit-and-miss engines, pork barbecue sandwiches made from four whole pigs roasted overnight, and 100+ fresh strawberry pies.

Various craftspeople generated lots of interest throughout the day. New this year were the weaving loom, wooden clock making, stone mason, and alpacas. As usual, sheep shearing held the attention of young and old alike at each scheduled time!

It was also the last day of the Silent Auction that runs from late October through Heritage Day. During this time, bidders compete for beautiful antique and collectible items displayed weekly. The Silent Auction this year broke all previous records, with the auction ending on Heritage Day totaling $1,854.00 and bringing this year’s total to $11,192.00.

Thanks are due to everyone who contributed in any way to the success of the day—by donating time, talent or services, bidding on the Silent Auction throughout the year or on Heritage Day, or simply by your presence. Proceeds of Heritage Day benefit the Sharing Fund to assist residents who have exhausted their financial resources.