The Heritage Festival is the Meridian Historical Village's signature annual event — a free, family-friendly celebration of early American life held each fall.
When and Where
- Date: First Saturday of October
- Time: 11 AM to 4 PM
- Location: Meridian Historical Village at Central Park, 5151 Marsh Road, Okemos
- Admission: Free
What to Expect
The Heritage Festival fills the Village grounds with the sights, sounds, and smells of early American life:
Demonstrations
- Blacksmithing — Watch a smith work iron at the forge
- Spinning and weaving — See raw fiber transformed into cloth
- Candle making — Learn how families made their own light
- Butter churning — Try your hand at this essential homestead skill
- Heritage cooking — Period recipes prepared using traditional methods
Exhibits
- All Village buildings open with docents and special displays
- Artifact exhibits highlighting pieces from the Village collection
- Historical photographs and documents
Family Activities
- Hands-on crafts for children
- Period games and activities
- Scavenger hunts through the Village grounds
Partnership
The Heritage Festival is presented in partnership with Meridian Township Parks & Recreation. This collaboration brings together the Village's historic resources with the Township's community programming to create a memorable event for the whole family.
Volunteering
The Heritage Festival relies on dedicated volunteers to staff buildings, run demonstrations, and welcome visitors. If you would like to help, please call 517-347-7300 or visit our volunteer page.