Friends of Gaineswood, the nonprofit support group of Gaineswood, will host Harvest Fest/Gaineswood Day Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be a $1 admission charge per person. As in the past, this annual event will take on a county fair-style atmosphere with children’s crafts, an antique farm equipment display, musical entertainment, a best cake or pie contest, a needlework exhibit and pumpkin seed-spitting.

House tours will also be given throughout the day. Audiences are invited to bring their lawn chairs and ice chests for the day-long slate of activities.

“Facts Behind the Fiction: Myths and Truths Behind the Gaineswood Ghost” will be held at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. in the basement and Linde and the Old Fellows will perform their traditional mix of gospel and bluegrass music on Gaineswood’s lawn at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m.

Festival visitors can enjoy barbeque plates sold on the grounds.

Children’s activities include paper “quilting”, making butter and the pumpkin seed-spitting contest. Most activities are ongoing, but the pumpkin seed-spitting contest takes place at 11:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m.

The baking contests will accept entries and award prizes in various categories. The entry deadline is 9:45 a.m. with judging from 10 a.m. to noon.

Winners are to be announced at 1 p.m. The needlework exhibit will be accepting entries in both modern and heirloom categories.

There is no entry fee for either contest, and needlework entries may be submitted in advance at Gaineswood on Sept. 25-26, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Gaineswood is a historic site of the Alabama Historical Commission. Located at 805 South Cedar Avenue in Demopolis, the house museum is a National Historic Landmark noted for its unique architecture and original furnishings. For more information about Harvest Fest/Gaineswood Day 2008, contact Gaineswood at 334-289-4846.

– from staff reports