"Pioneer Day" will take place Saturday, November 21, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Lincoln County Historical Park, located on Lumber Street.

A crowd of approximately 3,000 attended last year's festivities, which are sponsored annually by the Lincoln County Historical Society.

Among the attractions at the park are:

.. The F.M. Hogan General Store - In 2007, the store was moved to the park from the Woodlawn Community, where it sat for the past 100 years.

The store was selected for inclusion in the park to represent all the country stores in the county that served to meet a vital need in their day (circa 1800 to 1950).

The historic structure will once again be open for business. On Saturday, storekeeper Vickie Dawkins and her helpers will be selling canned jellies, preserves, and vegetables; candy; freshly ground cornmeal and grits; homemade bonnets, towels, aprons, potholders, and pillows; and much more.

.. Salem Academy - A one-room schoolhouse dating back to the early 1900s, Salem Academy was relocated to the historical park from Salem Baptist Church in July of 2006. Also making the trip was the school's "outdoor plumbing."

The academy is furnished with antique desks, old primers, and a potbellied stove.

During the day, Kevin Beggs (11 a.m.) and Junior Norman (1 p.m.) will be on hand to talk with visitors about various aspects of local history.

.. The Bunch-Poss Gristmill - Built in the late 1920s, the mill was moved from its home on Ward Avenue to the historical park in the summer of 2005, and since then, has undergone extensive renovations.

Donated by Jackie and Alex Willingham, the gristmill was in operation until the late 1970s.

.. The Hogan Blacksmith Shop - This building contains two forges, one run with bellows and the other with a hand-turned blower. It is a replica of the old blacksmith shop on the "Hollenshead Place" on the Augusta Highway.

.. Pine Log Cabin - Built around 1800, the 16' x 22' structure boasts two porches, wooden-shutter windows, an open-face fireplace, and a variety of period furnishings. Although the builder of the cabin is unknown, records show that it was once the home of Andrew Jackson Reid, who fought for the South in the Civil War.

The cabin was donated to the historical society by Dr. Robert Williams.

.. Corncrib - This 8' x 10' log structure came from the "Old Frank Hardy Place" on the Augusta Highway. In days gone by, workmen used pitchforks to dig the unshucked corn out of the crib. Two sides of the building have been converted into a concession stand.

.. Groves-May House - Built in the 1870s and appointed with period furnishings, the two-story house serves as the focal point of the park. A quilt show and spinning wheel demonstrations will be held here during the day.

.. Doctor's Office - Built by Dr. E.R. May, the office houses medical equipment donated to the historical society by the Dr. Weems Pennington, Sr. and his wife, Margaret Pennington, both now deceased, and others.

.. The Estes, Lake, & Ferguson Smokehouse - The smokehouse was one of the first buildings acquired by the society. Built around 1790, it was previously located on the "Estes Place" on Lovelace Road in Lincoln County.

.. Cotton Gin - It is believed that this animal-powered cotton gin dates back to the 1830s or 40s and was manufactured in Clinton, Georgia (Jones County). Apparently, there are very few gins of this type in the United States.

This special antique was a gift from L.E. Reese.

.. Two-Horse Wagon - This wagon originally belonged to the late J.C. Hollenshead. In fact, there are still two chairs in the wagon; one of these was occupied by Mr. Hollenshead's son, Wright Hollenshead, as he road around town. Croaker sacks continue to hang on the sides of the wagon.

.. Sawmill - The historical society bought the portable sawmill (circa 1950) in Royston, Georgia, approximately 10 years ago, and brought it back to Lincoln County where it was previously owned by Frank Glaze. The sawmill is still used for various projects around the park.

.. The Lewis Family Pavilion - This 60' x 60' multi-purpose structure features a stage, restrooms, storage rooms, a sound system, and slatted wooden pews purchased from the Union Grove Campground in White County, Georgia.

The facility was officially named after "America's First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music" during a ceremony held at the park in May of 2003.

.. The Adamson Family Turpentine Still - A recent addition to the park, the still (circa 1920s) comes to Lincolnton from Glenville, Georgia.

While viewing the various historical buildings, visitors may also enjoy chatting with historical society members, who will be on hand in pioneer dress, to answer questions about life in the olden days.

The park represents 26 years of hard work by the members of the historical society.

Pioneer Day will likewise feature:

.. The unveiling of the historical society's first cookbook. The book contains recipes from some of the finest cooks in the Southeast.

.. Entertainment provided by Shannon Cox, Laney Cox, the LCHS Red Devil Band Ensemble, Tom Reed, Bill Maxwell, Fancy Footworks, the Gym Frogs, David Donehoo, Jerry Donehoo, Gerry Ferland, and Madison Beggs.

.. A costume contest, with judging set for 2 p.m. at the Lewis Family Pavilion.

.. An exhibit of Model As from the 1920s, sponsored by the Old 96 District Model A Club in Greenwood, South Carolina.

.. Arts and crafts, baked goods, and honey made by bees, with help from Danny Byrd.

.. Hayrides.

.. The Tree of Remembrance.

.. Living history demonstrations, including blacksmithing, corn grinding, cotton ginning, saw milling, and washing clothes the old fashioned way.

.. Free samples of freshly pressed apple cider.

.. An antique tractor and engine show.

And when stomachs start growling, would-be pioneers may eat their fill of apple fritters, turnip greens, chicken and dumplings, red beans and rice, hoe cakes, Ben Ross' ham and sausage biscuits, fried chicken wings, hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries.

There is no admission charge.

In other items of information, event planners indicated that parking will not be allowed behind the Groves-May House or at the Lincolnton Post Office during business hours. Instead, visitors are asked to park behind Lincolnton Baptist Church, at Next Level Machining and Welding (next to Family Dollar), or in the lot at the intersection of the Augusta Highway and Thomson Highway. Shuttles will be provided.

For more information, contact Jamie Reese at 706-359-3528.