History and heritage

Davisburg Heritage Festival includes two days of activities this year.
‘It gets bigger every year,? said Casey Reed, recreation coordinator, Springfield Township Parks and Rec. “It’s a great way for the community to get together and celebrate where we came from.”
The festival kicks off, Saturday, Oct. 8, with a pancake breakfast at the Hart community Center, 8 a.m., $5 for adults, $3 for children 3-6, free for children 2 and under.
The festival parade of fire engines, tractors, and other vehicles starts at 12 p.m., Shultz Park to Shiawassee Nature Preserve.
“The parade continues to grow ? it’s taken on a life of its own,” said Jennifer Tucker, Parks and Rec director.
The event map includes the new Heritage Passport activity, with stops in Davisburg Cemetery, Mill Pond Park, downtown Davisburg, Shiawassee Basin Preserve, and Springfield Oaks County Park.
“Children and families visit each stop and get a sticker, then they take them to the last stop for treats,” Reed said.
Free events include antique tractor display, park tours, historical demonstrations, and games, Hay Maze, and demonstrations in Shiawassee Nature Preserve. Buses will help people get around.
A history time line, featuring pictures and artifacts from Davisburg’s past, will also be on display.
“It’s really neat,” Reed said
The public can vote for their favorite scarecrow in the Decorate Davisburg Scarecrow Contest through Monday, Oct. 12 ? ballots are entered in a drawing for a $25 gift certificate. Ballot boxes are placed in businesses throughout downtown Davisburg.
Winner earns the title ‘Davisburg’s Finest Scarecrow? and a $30 prize.
Events on Sunday, Oct. 9, include Craft Show and Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Fall Colors wagon ride in Shiawassee Nature Preserve, 1 p.m.; Davisburg Cemetery walking tours with interpreters, 1-3 p.m.; and Dodworth Saxhorn Band concert, 3:30-5 p.m., featuring the music of the Civil War.
“This is a community event to showcase Davisburg heritage, what this place is about,” Tucker said.
This event is in conjunction with the Oakland County Parks Ellis Barn Festival in Springfield Oaks County Park, 1-5 p.m., Oct. 8. Parking is $5.