The Boothbay Railway Village invites families to celebrate the bounty of autumn at an old-fashioned, family-friendly festival on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1 and 2. Perfect for families who want an alternative to the big fairs and commercial midways, there will be a working blacksmith and other traditional artists, barrel train rides, farm animals and much more.

Watch a butter churning demonstration and then taste the fresh butter on New England brown bread baked according to a 100-year-old recipe. See how Dutch ovens were used for baking and cooking over open fires and in hearths. There will also be complimentary cider and homemade cookies.

Visitors can say hello to the Museum’s pair of resident goats as well as some special guests. Barnyard animals will be visiting from a variety of regional farms. You’ll be able to meet the farmers and learn about how they take care of the animals today as well as what it would have been like to keep animals for families living in Maine villages historically. Shadow Hill Farm from New Gloucester will be here both days with their alpacas. Each morning from 10 to noon, guests can visit with special guests from the Lee Family Rabbitry in Damariscotta, and on Sunday there will be piglets from White’s Farm in Winterport. Some farms will have products for sale.

A very special guest on Saturday only will be a pair of Belted Galloway Cows from Aldermere Farm in Rockport. These famous black and white colored “Oreo cookie” cows are the subject of a new book by Paige Pendleton with illustrations by Thomas Block titled “The White Belt Society.” Pendleton and Block are the same team responsible for the Museum’s book, “Reginald the Railway Rat.” Both books will be for sale and the author and illustrator will be on hand for signing.

Oct. 1 and 2 is also Maine Craft Weekend and we’ll be participating in a big way this year. Metalsmith Danielle Gerber will be raising copper and silver to form functional pieces like tea kettles and pitchers on site. Gerber was recently recognized as a Rising Star by American Craft Week. She is one of 30 craftspeople under 30 years old to receive the honor nationwide. Sam Smith, Master Blacksmith, will be working in the Forge and Rebecca Townsend will be twining rugs inside the 1847 Boothbay Town Hall. On Saturday only, Vi Eastman will be making bobbin lace. On Sunday only, Emily Easton-Trask joins us to share her quilting expertise. All artisans will also have work for sale.

Guests are invited to take a hayride to a pumpkin patch where for a small additional fee you can take home your own pumpkin. A decorating station will also be provided.

Family Harvest Days is just one stop along Maine’s Pumpkin Trail, a new partnership celebrating history, art and giant fruit along 50 miles of Maine’s Midcoast. Follow Maine’s Pumpkin Trail on Facebook to discover great ways to celebrate fall with friends and family of all ages at the Boothbay Railway Village, Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta, Farnsworth Art Museum and Maine Maritime Museum.

Family Harvest Days is free with regular museum admission of $6 for children 3 – 18 and $12 for adults, $10 for seniors over 65. Children under 3 and Museum Members are free. There will be a small additional fee if you’d like to take a pumpkin home. Although the Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., most activities will take place between 10 and 4. Well-behaved and leashed four-legged friends are welcome. Contact the Boothbay Railway Village for more information at (207) 633-4727, or online at www.railwayvillage.org.  The Boothbay Railway Village is located at 586 Wiscasset Road, Route 27 in Boothbay, Maine.