Preserving Our Heritage - Celebrating Our Children and Community" is the theme of this year's Poole Forge Day, set for Saturday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic Poole Forge, 1940 Main St., Narvon (Churchtown).

Activities will include children's crafts, live music, a volleyball tournament, historical craft demonstrations, a pony cart and pet parade and a display of military vehicles, antique brass cars and Gruber wagons. Admission and parking are free.

New this year will be a craft area where children will be able to make twig art using items from nature. "We are making the pavilion a craft area for kids, and we are moving the programs up to the main tent," explained Dawn Ekdahl, Poole Forge executive director, noting that programs will include a wildlife show by Raven Ridge Wildlife Center. "There will also be live blacksmithing, a wood turner, (a display) of long arm rifles and a fishing demonstration by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation."

Another new attraction this year will be a hot air balloon walk-about. "You inflate the balloon halfway, and the balloon is inflated (enough) so you can walk into it," Ekdahl explained, adding, "(Instead of puppet shows) the Penn's Woods Puppet Theater will present Polly Puppet, a life-size puppet. New this year we will have a magician, and he will do two shows in the afternoon. Pony rides will also return."

A highlight of the day will be a turtle race at 3:30 p.m. Visitors who "purchase" green rubber turtles that will float down Conestoga Creek will be in the running for monetary prizes. The first turtle across the finish line will get the grand prize. There will also be smaller prizes for the other top finishers.

An Amish youth volleyball tournament will take place in the ballfield and meadow across the creek.

Other activities will include hayrides around the Poole Forge property; a silent auction, with goods and gift certificates donated by local businesses; arts and crafts vendors; a beekeeper display; and demonstrations by the Lancaster Spinners and Weavers Guild.

The 18th-century Welsh ironmaster's mansion will be open for self-guided tours, and live music will be offered on the mansion porch.

Offering food and beverages will be the Father and Son Barbecue, the Waffle Wagon, Nena's Kitchen and Beiler's Hand-Rolled Pretzels. Poole Forge will offer soft-serve ice cream and smoothies.

DJ Jay Mattson will provide the music.

The event will end with an airplane candy drop, weather permitting.

Historic Poole Forge is located on Route 23, 7 miles east of New Holland and 3 miles east of the Shady Maple Complex. For more information and a detailed schedule of Poole Forge Day events, visit www.historicpooleforge.org or www.facebook.com/pooleforge. Those with questions may email Ekdahl at hpf1940@gmail.com.