Return to Colonial era at Jubilee College State Park Colonial Faire runs September 28 – September 30

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2007

BRIMFIELD, IL – Jubilee College State Park will hearken back to the time of Paul Revere and Benjamin Franklin later this month when the Colonial Trade Faire comes to the 3,200-acre facility September 28 through September 30. The family-friendly event will strive to educate the public about Colonial American history.

The event, which will be situated on the 3,200 acres of forest and prairie wilderness that comprise Jubilee State Park, will feature Colonial, civilian and military life from 1750 to 1790. Visitors will be able to visit a Native American village, interact with colonists in their everyday life and participate in soldier’s drills and military tactics. The Colonial Trade Faire is organized by a committee of dozens of amateur historians and re-enactors.

“We wanted to bring an event to the area that would encourage families to use Jubilee College State Park. We wanted a Colonial event close to home and we wanted to bring a taste of Colonial American history to the public,” said Jim Winter, Faire organizer.

With years of re-enacting experience and a love of living history the committee found Jubilee College State Park to be the perfect wilderness setting for a Colonial settlement.

“We’re delighted to host the Colonial Faire at Jubilee this year,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Acting Director Sam Flood. “This event promises to be fun for children and adults of any age.”

The Faire will include characters from Colonial history, such as British Soldiers, Colonists, hunters, Native Americans, trades and crafts people who will give a first hand look at the daily life at that time. Public participation is the goal at this event. “We want families to have a good time,” said Winter. “They will be able to take part in and do things and not just watch.”

Special features of the weekend will include: British Redcoat military drills, blacksmiths, Minutemen, a Woodland Indian village, musicians, hunters, tradesmen building a cabin, and much more. Visitors will see Colonial daily life first hand by taking part in activities and experience what it would have been like to live 250 years ago in early America.

The event will open at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 28 for a special School Day when approximately 1,000 students and teachers from local schools will attend. On Saturday, September 29 the event opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. On Sunday, September 30, gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Price of admission is $7 per car.

Jubilee College State Park Colonial Faire refreshments will be available for purchase from the Brimfield Men’s Club, and live music by Colonial musicians will bring the sounds of the era alive.