Saturday is Pioneer Day at Grant County museum
Chaz Holmes/Columbia Basin Herald<br> Aurora Updegrave helps a customer select the perfect cookie inside the general store during Pioneer Day last year. This year's event is Saturday.
EPHRATA — A bank robbery enactment, wood branding, hands-on science activities and a barbecue are among Saturday’s Pioneer Day activities at the Grant County Historical Museum in Ephrata.
The event is from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., at 742 Basin St. NW, Ephrata.
Admission is free for Grant County Historical Society Members. Admission for nonmembers is $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for students ages 6 through 15. Children ages 5 and younger pay nothing.
From 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., the Pacific Science Center offers bilingual hands-on exhibits involving “science on the go,” explained Pat Witham, the museum’s director.
Museum admission covers the cost of the Pacific Science Center Activity, including an agricultural display containing harvesting information, how the rain falls, how geography affects soil and the difference between a good bug and a bad bug.
The Grant County Sheriff’s Posse reenacts bank robberies and a shoot-outs using blanks.
Kids can participate in stick horse races.
Vintage soda pop is sold in the saloon, using copies of 1899 to 1900 Coca-Cola bottles.
Penny candy is available in the main museum and general store. Dill pickles from a crock will also be sold.
In the blacksmith shop, initials are branded into wood. Hemp is attached to the wood and people can hang the wood.
A centennial program begins at 1:30 p.m. in the main building because Grant County’s centennial is this year.
A donation of the 2009 Grant County Centennial postal cancellation stamp is presented by the centennial committee to Grant County commissioners. Commissioners will then donate the stamp to the museum.
Grant County’s Centennial memorabilia booth will be set up and merchandise available for purchase.
The American Legion Art Semro Post 28 offers a barbecue. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be sold, costing $3 and $5 respectively. The prices include chips and condiments.
Coulee City artist Don Nutt wears a fur trader’s outfit and brings furs to the museum as a “fur trader at work,” she said.
People can also explore 35 historical buildings on museum grounds.