Celebrate O'Fallon History at Founders' Day

Editor's Note: This story was corrected at 9:30 a.m. A previous version stated that Founders' Day would be held throughout downtown O'Fallon. The event is held at Fort Zumwalt Park.

If you stop by Fort Zumwalt Park in on Saturday, May 5, you’ll catch a glimpse of what it was like in the days when people made their own clothes, milked their own cows, walked to school and drove buggies and wagons rather than cars.

The city is preparing to celebrate O’Fallon Founders’ Day, this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the park. 

There will be free activities for the kids, including chances to learn how to do the chores kids did in the pioneer days: learning how to wash clothes the pioneer way, making rope, sewing a patchwork quilt and soap carving. They’ll also have opportunities to try out games the pioneer kids played, such as walking on stilts.

Skilled artisans will be on hand providing free demonstrations, and bluegrass fans won’t want to miss the performance from the award-winning Curreykorn Family. Plus, families can enjoy a vaudeville-style magic and comedy show, performed by Hagerman the Magician.

Food, drinks and period merchandise will be available for visitors to purchase.

The ’s Office of Tourism and Festivals is organizing the admission-free event.

“This is a great family-friendly event that will provide patrons with the opportunity to experience games and activities from days gone by,” O'Fallon's Office of Tourism’s Manager Marsha Seymore said.

Learn more about your city

For more information on O’Fallon’s history, Peggy Whetzel, a staff writer from the city's public relations department, suggested two resources.

“Regarding local history, our website has a pretty good one-page summary of O’Fallon’s history,” she said. “At the bottom of this webpage, there’s a great link to the O’Fallon Historical Society’s website, which has great photos.”