In the KQEN Cultural Spotlight:

Elkton Community Education Center invites visitors to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary at Fort Umpqua Days, held Saturday and Sunday, September 5th and 6th, during Labor Day Weekend.

A release from ECEC said Fort Umpqua Days celebrates the history, people, and traditions that continue to shape the Umpqua Valley. Volunteer interpreters will bring the Hudson’s Bay Company fur trade era from 1836–1851 to life through blacksmithing, woodworking, traditional crafts, and living history demonstrations.

ECEC Executive Director Deb Gritton said, “As our nation celebrates its 250th Anniversary, Fort Umpqua Days is a wonderful way to celebrate both our country’s history and the unique heritage of the Umpqua Valley,” Gritton said. “Whether visitors come for the living history, the music, the butterfly habitat, or simply to enjoy a great weekend with family and friends, we hope they leave with a deeper appreciation for this community and the stories that helped shape it.”

The release said highlights of the event will include a Lion’s Club breakfast, live music, a wine & beer garden, artisan booths, kids’ activities & garden tours, BBQ lunch fundraiser, ECEC’s annual pie auction, and chicken bingo fundraisers. There also will be tours of Fort Umpqua, a butterfly habitat and market garden, living history demonstrations and historic encampments, and the ‘Echoes of the Umpqua’ pageant.

Saturday events include the “Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the USA” parade, with live music by Cover Culture. Sunday features the Thomas Batterman Mental Health Project 5K, music by Vine Katz and Elk Creek Ramble. Guests can also explore ECEC’s butterfly habitat, market gardens, native plant park, and café while enjoying one of rural Oregon’s favorite Labor Day traditions.

Admission to the event is free. Festival hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day with the Echoes of the Umpqua Pageant at 5 p.m.

For more information on Fort Umpqua Days, visit www.elktonbutterflies.com or by phone at 584-2692.