Some tasty and artistic treats will be served up Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Iola Historical Society’s historic village at 210 Depot St., just off Main Street. The free Lost Arts event runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and is hosted by the Iola Historical Society, Iola-Scandinavia Area Chamber of Commerce, and Northland Lutheran Church.
Lost Arts are being featured by the Iola Historical Society. Among the “lost” skills being demonstrated will be blacksmithing by Clint Danke, of The Rusty Anvil Blacksmith Shop, New London; rosemaling by Linda Kasten, Waupaca; rug weaving and hand quilting by Gerald Johnson, Iola; and post-and-beam construction basket weaving by Barb Johnson, Iola; candle making by Vera Duesterbeck, and wood chip carving by Don Duesterbeck, New London; post-and-beam construction by Jeremy Woodliff, Amherst; and weaving by Claire Norndess, Iola. Some items from the artisans will be available for purchase.
Taste of Norway, also sponsored by the Iola Historical Society, will feature locally made Norwegian treats, such as rosettes, krumkake, lefse and more, available for sale individually or by the dozen. Coffee will also be available.
Following up on the Taste of Norway theme, the Northland Church Ladies are hosting a Norwegian cooking demonstration of traditional Norwegian pastries and lefse.
The I-S Chamber’s annual Craft and Gift Show, normally held later in October, will also take place Oct. 2 at the historic village with both indoor and outdoor vendors selling a wide range of homemade food and craft and gift items. Vendors interested in setting up should contact Traci at 715-445-5505. The fee for a 10-foot by 10-foot booth is $40.
The Historical Society will also be unveiling the third in its series of Historic Iola markers at 2 p.m. The newest marker commemorates the birthplace of Numismatic News, the flagship publication of Krause Publications. The marker will later be permanently placed on the corner lot of Chet Krause’s family home at Iola and Jackson streets.
In addition to these events, for the children there will be pumpkin painting and face painting, courtesy of Iola Leo’s Club; miniature ponies and goats they can pet; old-fashioned games, such as three-legged gunnysack races, marble games, corn shelling and a horse-drawn wagon ride, the latter courtesy of Honken’s Farms.
Also on display will be vintage tractors, circa 1928 to 1960, brought in by members of the Central Wisconsin Tractor Club.
All of the buildings in the Historical Society’s village will also be available for touring. These include the original Iola railroad depot; a vintage caboose; county school; the original Helvetia Town Hall building; a replica of the 1900 Iola firehouse, featuring Iola’s first three mechanized fire engines, all original; and a vintage log cabin.
The Historical Society’s main building also includes displays of Norwegian artifacts from early settlers and other Iola area historical artifacts. The “100 Years of Ski Jumping in Iola” display will be featured in the Helvetia Town Hall.
Food and beverages, including a brat and hot dog fry by the Iola Lions club, will also be available on the grounds.
For updates on these events, which take place during the annual Hidden Studios Art Tour weekend Oct. 1-3, go to www.ischamber.org or on Facebook at Iola-Scandinavia Chamber/Hometown.