News 2006

For Immediate Release

CONTACTS:
Robert Beadle, Media Liaison
Phone: 401-632-6573, E-mail: Robert@nepublications.com
OR
Lorraine Provencher, Coordinator
Phone: 401-724-2200, E-mail: bvfootsteps@aol.com
175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

BLACKSTONE VALLEY HISTORIC FARMS OFFER HARVEST FRESH FOODS AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES DURING FOOTSTEPS IN HISTORY WEEKEND

BLACKSTONE VALLEY, MA, RI, (September 28, 2006) – The farms of the Blackstone Valley are offering a special welcome to Columbus Day Weekend visitors with wagon rides, apple and pumpkin picking, pie-eating contests and fresh produce stands, all happening October 7-9. This is part of the Second Annual Footsteps in History Preserve America Weekend in which all 24 communities of the Blackstone River Valley are opening the doors to their best cultural and historical attractions.

“What a great weekend for people to visit and sample what the Blackstone Valley offers,” says Robert Billington, president of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. “The autumn foliage will be an excellent backdrop as they tour any of our 100 historical and cultural sites.”

Keown Orchards & Farm Stand of 9 McClellan Road, Sutton, MA is located on 175 acres of pristine farmland in Southern Worcester County. Two generations of the Keown family currently work on the orchard, which was acquired by Arthur Daniel Keown and his wife Alice Dwelly (Keown) in 1924. Here visitors can pick their own apples and pumpkins and select from a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers and gifts from the store. Footsteps in History Weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. For more information call 508-865-6706 or log on to www.keownorchards.com.

Sweetwilliam Farm of 153 North Street, Upton, MA is one of the last working 18th century farms to survive into the 21st century. Its 90 plus picturesque acres are home to nine horses, three donkeys and a goat that roam the pastures. Activities include Hay wagon rides, photo opportunities with horse & carriage antique farm equipment display, vintage clothing & home display, churning butter, cider making in an antique cider press, pumpkin decorating, pie eating contest, games, apple bobbing, horseshoes, pin the pumpkin on the scarecrows, and an apple toss. Footsteps in History Weekend hours are Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The pie-eating contest will be held at 3 p.m. daily and games held on the half hour. For more information call 508-529-2000 or log on to www.sweetwilliamfarm.com.

Jaswell’s Farm of 50 Swan Road, Smithfield, RI is located in the heart of “apple valley.” Started in 1899, Jaswell’s Farm is owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Jaswell Family. The farm stand and bakery offer the freshest picked seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as a delectable assortment of fresh baked goods. Jaswell’s Farm carries a complete line of preserves, jellies, salad dressings, prepackaged baking mixes, Vermont cheeses, RI honey, candy, fudge and so much more.

Fruit & gift baskets can be ordered at almost any time and specialty items such as gourmet apples are available for almost any occasion. Jaswell’s Farm allows visitors to pick their own apples and pumpkins daily from 10am – 5pm. Apple cider is made and pasteurized on premises and a wide assortment of candy, caramel, chocolate caramel and gourmet apples are available. On Sundays during the apple and pumpkin season, there are complimentary hayrides and a fully functional concession stand. Footsteps in History Weekend hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. For more information, call 401-231-9043 or logon to www.jaswellsfarm.com.

Known as the Birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution, the 24 communities of the Blackstone River Valley were designated by President and Mrs. Bush and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as Preserve America communities in 2004. To highlight this proud achievement, the region developed Footsteps in History to make all historical and cultural sites open and available to the public with open houses, artistic and interpretive programs, festivals and much more during this three-day event.

More than 100 tours, open houses and events have been listed. A copy of all events, tours and open houses can be found throughout the Blackstone Valley at various Visitor Centers and sites in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. A complete listing may also be found on this website (events) or by calling 1-800-454-2882 for more information.

About Footsteps in History

The Footsteps in History Preserve America Weekend “Five Centuries in Three Days” is a celebration of our national heritage in which the 24 communities of the Blackstone River Valley showcase about 100 cultural and historical attractions for the enjoyment of residents, tourists and their families. Footsteps in History was created by the Blackstone River Valley Tourism Collaborative, which includes the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, and the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. Footsteps in History is sponsored by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, the Massachusetts Historical Commission with grant funding from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. See this website (events) for the complete list of events, pick up a brochure at area visitor centers or call 1-800-454-2882 for more information.

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