Heritage Days returns with pig roast, live music

By Patrick Lynn

Heritage Days is coming back to Plover, and this time, the event is bigger than ever and just in time for Father’s Day.

Following a two-year COVID hiatus, the Portage Co. Historical Society is bringing one of its biggest fundraising events back to Heritage Park at the corner of Willow Dr. and Washing Ave. in Plover.

The Heritage Days Music and History Festival, June 18-19, is open to the public, with donations encouraged upon entry.

Live music, craft beverages, historical demonstrations, and a pig roast will be featured among the park’s historic buildings from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year’s event will be the first without curator Anton Anday, who died last year. According to John Harry, director for the PCHS, the Agricultural Barn Museum will be named in Anday’s honor during a noon ceremony on June 18. The ceremony is also open to the public.

Heritage Park contains 11 different historical structures from throughout Portage Co. portraying daily life as it was between 1870 and 1910. The park sustains itself through private donations.

“We’re excited to welcome our friends and neighbors back to Heritage Park for this fun-filled weekend,” said Harry, who is the PCHS’s first paid director. Previously, the organization was operated solely by volunteers. “We have great entertainment and food offerings this year, and we hope everyone comes out to help us celebrate our achievements as a community.”

Entertainment includes live music from the Gray Catz on Saturday and Sloppy Joe on Sunday. Both bands begin playing at 12:30 p.m.

Stone Press Food Truck will be on-site on Saturday, and Rockman’s Catering will be carving up an American Pig Roast Brisket at noon on Sunday. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to see the hog roasting on the spit.

Refreshments from Point Brewery will also be available for purchase as a fundraiser for PCHS.

The event is being sponsored by Heartland Custom Homes.