Irving Heritage Festival
Irving, Texas

When: early June

Where: Heritage Park at Main and Second Street in Irving, Texas.

The squeak of a penny farthing's wheel as a rider races across the grass blends with the thunderous blows of a village smithee's hammer as it strikes against an anvil during an annual ode to yesteryear, held each June amid the sheltering trees, rustic log cabin and old railroad depot at Irving's Heritage Park. During the free festival, visitors get a glimpse of the "good old days" as a bonnet-wearing demonstrator whips up a dairy product in a butter churn, spinners twist woolen fibers into yarn on a spinning wheel and potters turn lumps of clay into works of art.

Connoisseurs of Texas cuisine can cheer on the weekend warriors who fire up the grills at the Chili Cook-off, while souvenir seekers can check out the arts and crafts booths or bid on items at the silent auction. Live music provides a soundtrack to the day's activities, and the street dance is a toe-tapping treat.

Children's activities: Kids will go crazy for the lineup of old-fashioned entertainment at the children's area, where pint-sized cowboys can saddle up for a pony ride and adventurers can dig for buried treasure hidden in a sand pile. Tykes can test their skills at ring toss or tabletop shuffleboard and bowling, and animal lovers can cuddle a new fluffy friend at the petting zoo or clap for the canines in the dog training show. Parents can remember the smile on their child's face with a lasting memento of a caricature or a dress-up photo of their little one.

For more information:

• visit www.irvingheritagefestival.com