Heritage Fair / District Conference - Sept. 26-28,'08 
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The public is invited to Camp Blue Diamond's 28th annual Heritage Fair, which will be held on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26th & 27th. 

Friday evening is a time of moving in and booth set up. There will a family style meal available in the Main Lodge from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., followed by a sing-a-long. The meal is $7 for adults and $4 for children, the concert is free. Overnight lodging is available.

Saturday, Sept. 27th, is Heritage Fair. The day begins with a restaurant style breakfast served in the Lodge from 6:30- 8:30 a.m. Beginning at 9:00 a.m.,  food and craft booths will open. During the day there will be a variety of demonstrations, displays, and activities available. 

The quilt and basket auction will begin at 10 a.m., with a Children's Auction at 12 noon., and the district quilt being auctioned at 1:30 p.m.  Heritage Fair activities will wind down around 3:00 p.m., and District Conference will begin under the big tent. For those attending District Conference on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, meals will be available as well as lodging.   

Originally organized in 1981, the fair has been held each year since, with the proceeds being split between Camp Blue Diamond, and several local ministries, including; CentrePeace Prison Ministry,  Prince Gallitzin State Park Chaplaincy Program, scholarships for youth workcamps, the PA Council of Churches and the Breezewood Trucker/Travel Ministry. A goal of $37,500 has been set for the event!  

Heritage Fair is organized and sponsored by the 55 Church of the Brethren congregations of the Middle PA District. The public is invited, and parking and admission are free. Shuttle buses are available from the parking lots.  The annual family-friendly festival of faith, food and fun brings thousands together at Camp Blue Diamond, which is located seven miles northwest of Petersburg. Signs will be posted on Routes 22 and 305 leading to camp.

Activities and Demonstrations are adults of all ages. For children there’s a special area with clowns, puppets, crafts, face painting, a ventriloquist and a petting zoo. 

Adults can enjoy the auction, roving bands and choirs, gospel and contemporary Christian groups, steam engines, sportsmen exhibits and live demonstrations celebrating PA and Brethren heritage.

Craft & Food Items will be available from about 40 food booths. The making of many regional and traditional favorites will be demonstrated at the fair, including; cider, apple dumplings, ham potpie, chicken corn soup, bean soup, apple butter,  homemade desserts, kettle corn, apple butter pies and assorted desserts.

The Brethren Heritage Center occupies the main floor of the Main Lodge. Demonstrations and educational centers show various aspects of Brethren culture.  Tables with representatives from Brethren Institutions and charities provide materials about the Brethren and their work in Pennsylvania and throughout the world.    

Lodging is available for those who want to come for the entire weekend or just overnight.  Cabins are available for rental, as well as rooms in the Lodges, and sites in the RV Campground. To reserve lodging or a campsite, please call after January 15th, 2008.  

Come have a great day of friends, fun and food, and help Camp Blue Diamond and the Middle PA District churches raise $37,500 for several worthy causes. The fair will be held rain or shine. 

If you would like to help as a volunteer at Heritage Fair, please email Camp Blue Diamond. Auction Aides, Parkers, Traffic Controllers, and Maintenance Volunteers are all needed for the day long event. Volunteers can also work through their local Church of the Brethren congregation, helping with demonstrations or manning a booth.   

See you at Heritage Fair!