The 28th annual Halifax County Harvest Days celebration will be held at the 4-H Rural Life Center, located at 13763 Highway 903, Halifax, Friday and Saturday.
Harvest Days honors both the agricultural heritage and the historic culture of Halifax County. The first Halifax Harvest Day was held October 10, 1992.
The purpose of the event was to promote the heritage, Southern hospitality, and agrarian culture in Halifax county, and entice millions of interstate travelers to visit the county, learn more about Halifax County’s past and present agricultural heritage, while spending their dollars locally.
On Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Harvest Days provides experiential learning through storytelling, games and hands-on STEM activities correlating with history, culture and seasonal traditions for Halifax County fourth- and fifth-graders.
On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Harvest Days celebration continues for families and the general public.
The 1900’s farmhouse has an authentic period kitchen, sitting room and bedroom.
Chair-caning and musket loading and cleaning will demonstrated by the Historic Halifax staff and volunteers in colonial dress.
The Agricultural Museum features antique farming implements and educational crop displays including cotton, tobacco, and peanuts.
Also on exhibit is a 19th century buggy, a working corn sheller and this year, an antique sugar cane press.
There will be an operational 1920’s sawmill and a peanut thresher demonstration.
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The leaders and members of the county’s four 4-H clubs will host STEM activities including Ag Olympics games such as Hay Bail-WheelBarrow Relay, Water Teamwork Competition, Basketball Shoot-Recycling Activity and line-dancing.
The four clubs are the Tuff Riders of Roanoke Rapids, Huckleberry Swamp of Enfield, Talented Teens of Weldon, and the Scotland Neck Club.
Inside the Rural Life Center will be expansive fossil collections.
Halifax County Master Gardeners will be teaching youth through a composting game Friday and selling mums Saturday to benefit local 4-H youth groups.
Halifax and Northampton County Beekeepers Association will feature a demonstration beehive and share the significance of bee pollination in agriculture.
A new virtual reality experience will bring an ag simulator to the festivities.
There will be live farm animals including poultry, goats, sheep and more.
Friday students will learn about waterfowl from Sylvan Heights Bird Park when they bring live bird ambassadors, real eggs and feathers.
Halifax County Library staff will host free-flowing tours of the Allen Grove Rosenwald School, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
On Friday, community leader Florine Bell, and on Saturday Roanoke River Partners’ Carol Shields will be available for questions and narratives regarding the Rosenwald school.
On Saturday, inside the Rosenwald school, original artwork and photography of local youth and adults who have submitted their creations for the annual art and photography contest will be on display.
Also on Saturday, Halifax library will be making library cards onsite, which can be used at Halifax, Enfield, Littleton, Scotland Neck and Weldon branches throughout the county.
Friday, at the Horse Complex, Jodie Knight of Knights Ridge Riding Center will have horseback riding demonstrations for special needs.
Saturday will be the Tri-County Horse Show at the Horse Complex, and at 11 a.m.visitors can learn about hens and rabbits during the 2nd Annual 4-H Poultry and Rabbit Competition near the Red Barn.
Saturday there will be inflatables and visitors can check out the center’s new additions, including basketball court, disc golf course, walking trails, new playground and pond.
These recreational facilities provide new opportunities for 4-H participants, as well as for Halifax County citizens throughout the year.
There will be a variety of antique tractors and a tractor-driven hay ride or a horse-drawn carriage ride.
There will be a diverse selection of foods and local honey from vendors, churches of Halifax and non-profit organizations as well as Brunswick stew prepared by the Roanoke River Antique Engine & Tractor Club.
Musical entertainment includes the Brake Tyme Band, Carolina SwitchGrass, the Rusty Hubcaps and The Hammers.
Local and regional crafters and artisans will have their work on display. The works include canners of fruits and vegetables, beekeepers, crafters who make martin houses from gourds, soap and jewelry makers, metal and wood workers, painters, potters and more.
Many explain the sustainability value behind their craft.
