Fall Fun Festival

We celebrated the coming of fall at the Chippewa Nature Center

By Emma Brown

MIDLAND, Mich.- On Saturday, Oct. 3, the Chippewa Nature Center held its annual Fall Fun Festival at the homestead to celebrate the upcoming harvest and work done over the summer. The festival included interactive stations where guests could complete daily activities of 1800s life, transporting them back in time for a look at what life used to be like. There were instructors placed around at each station to explain and to show the different processes and activities. The event invited children to interact with 1800s-styled activities, chores and games. 

For children, the nature center had bean sorting and corn grinding, along with a display of 1800s themed toys. The staff explained that old toys were all made to teach children a purpose, whether that be hand-eye coordination from cup-and-ball or caretaking skills from a babydoll. The kids also enjoyed sorting harvested beans into separate piles and cranking the lever on the corn grinder to make cornmeal. 

A child playing with an old fashion doll amongst other toys from the 1800s at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Michigan, on Oct. 3, 2026. DC Photo/Emma Brown

For older kids and adults in the 1800s, there were tasks such as crushing apples for cider, cooking apple butter, creating metalwork and cloth making. Since materials were crucial, these tasks were done by experienced people so as to not waste any.

One tedious task from the 1800s that was shown at the event was turning sheep’s wool into thread, then into cloth and then turning that into a blanket or garment. In the 1800s, they explained, typically women would use contraptions like boxes of nails and grinders with nails to flatten and straighten the wool.

When observing the traditional way of making apple butter, it was clear that it was also no easy task. The demonstrators had a giant pot full of mushed apples and sweet cider over a fire, continuously stirring. They explained the science behind the process, saying that it was understood in the 1800s, just not as scientifically as it is today. 

A reenactment of how apple butter was traditionally made from the 1600s-1800s at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Michigan, on Oct. 3, 2026. DC Photo/Emma Brown

Among the chores and activities, there was light, lively music coming from a bass, banjo, guitar and fiddle. There was a live band playing classical 1800s music. This offered a new experience to guests. 

Overall, this year’s Fall Fun Festival was insightful and educational, taking a glimpse into the country’s past. It was entertaining for the community, and had a large turnout from people of all ages.