By Jessica Moore

Staff Writer

The Step Back in Time Festival took place over the weekend at Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill. The event was wonderfully informative. Many of the re-enactors were in character much of the time, while some were there mainly to inform. There were children from several of the Marshall County schools present at the festival picnicking for lunch, then learning some history.

At one station visitors learned about the art of handcrafting chairs, at another they learned about logging. There was even a blacksmith's station with tools, a fire and a hood. One gentleman was very knowledgable about tanning. He even wore several pieces he had made himself including a coyote hat, leather pants, moccasins, a leather utility belt, and a lanyard. He also had the tools for trapping and camping. There were many activities children and other visitors could participate in including archery, knife throwing, story-telling, wagon rides, music, and other demonstrations. The festival was full of action -- there were watermelon-seed-spitting contests, history scavenger hunts, and animal calling. After visitors made their step back in time, they had a wide array of vendor booths to visit. These booths featured anything from handcrafted soaps and pottery, to blankets, leather goods, and, of course, food and beverages. The Step Back in Time event is an annual festival at Henry Horton State Park. This year was the 10th year the festival has taken place at Henry Horton.