The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will celebrate Lafayette’s birthday with its annual  Festival of Yesteryear: A Celebration of Early America on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Arsenal Park. 

It’s in conjunction with the Lafayette Society’s celebration that starts on Sept. 9 and goes through Saturday Sept. 10. The Festival of Yesteryear is a fun way to get an up close and personal look at what life was like during the Revolutionary War. Adults and children can all learn a thing or two and have a great time in the process.

 “The festival is part of the Lafayette birthday celebration and we celebrate colonial North Carolina,” said Megan Maxwell, education coordinator for the Poe House. “We have re-enactors come and demonstrate all kinds of daily life activities, military demonstrations, musical performances and Mark Schneider will perform as the Marquis de Lafayette.” 

 The event demonstrates various aspects of daily life such as cooking, politics, medicine, music, toys and games, spinning and militia drills. 

“We have several groups that have been coming for years to this event including Camp Flintlock which is a family business,” said Maxwell. “We have the Apprentice Alley activity which is basically a craft station for the kids so they can do hands-on activities and make creative things.” 

Maxwell added that the North Carolina Highland Regiment comes every year and their uniforms are Scottish Highlanders. They will do a Muscat demonstration and drill for the public throughout the day. There will be volunteers from Moore’s Creek National Battlefield that portray colonial militia and there will be cannon firing demonstrations a few times throughout the day. Photos can be taken in the pillory which is a wooden frame with holes for the head and hands that was used as punishment in colonial days. Musical acts include April C. Turner performing African spirituals, the Tryon Palace Fife and Drum Corporation and musical historian Simon Spaulding. 

 “We look forward to everyone coming to our family friendly event,” said Maxwell. 

 The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex is located on the corner of Bradford and Arsenal Avenues. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. 

 Admission is free. Concessions  will be available for purchase. For more information call 486-1330.