The fifth annual "Elderberry Festival" will take place at the Fairhope Museum of History on August 17, 2013. The festival will consist of a number of activities, demonstrations and elderberry related events through out the day. People who would like to enter a contestant in our Elderberry Cook-off will need to bring their entry to the museum by Friday at 5:00 PM. Categories are baking, canning, condiments and desserts. Entries will include pies, cakes, breads, jam, jelly, juice, jello, butter and elder-flower concoctions. County Fair style blue and red ribbons will be awarded on Saturday morning. Upstairs in the museum demonstrations will begin Saturday morning at 10:00 AM and will continue all day until 4:00 PM. Information will be given on how to identify elderberry, its history and folklore and how to pick, clean and wash the berries. Demonstrators will show how to make bread, pies, juice and jelly. These are done with demonstrators wearing 1900's clothing, using antique kitchen accessories.

During the day outside the museum will be the Baldwin County Antique Engine and Tractor Club with a number of rebuilt antique tractors and farm equipment. Also with them will be the Old Fashion Ice Cream Maker serving the very popular "Elderberry Ice Cream." That night will be the "Elderberry Ball" from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The high light of the evening fravolity will be the crowning of the Elderberry Queen, Queen Eli III. The music will be provided by the Kracker Dan Minstrels, who play old fashion, non amplified music. Come dance the waltz and Virginia Reel!
For further information call the Museum at 929-1471.