The Pioneer Museum of Alabama is gearing up for Butter Churnin’ Syrup Soppin’ Saturday on May 8.

The annual event features old-time crafts including quilting, cotton spinning and weaving and old-time children’s games.

There will even be horse-drawn wagon rides but it’s the tempting smell of smokehouse sausage frying in the pan that entices people to follow their noses to the Pioneer Museum of Alabama.

“Admission to Butter Churnin’ Syrup Soppin’ Saturday includes a sample plate of ‘pokey’ biscuits, freshly churned butter, syrup and smokehouse sausage,” said Jerry Peak, museum director.

“We’ll have links of our smokehouse sausage for sale for those who want to take some home to enjoy.”

Anybody who has a good, strong arm will be invited to man the church and try their hand at making some of the best butter around.

“There’s nothing better than freshly churned butter and there’s no better way to learn to appreciate it than to do the churning yourself,” Peak said.

This year, thanks to a donation from the Chase Riddle family, there will be a demonstration of a hand-turned churn that makes about a pound of butter.

“The Riddle family donated the hand-turned churn to the museum so visitors will get to see how butter was churned in a different way,” Peak said. “We appreciate donations of items because that allows us to provide more educational experiences for those who visit the museum.”

The Riddle family also donated a glass mayonnaise maker with the recipe embossed in the glass.

“It’s a very simple recipe,” Peak said.

“But, like most items of earlier times, it gives your arm a good workout.”

The recipe for Wesson Oil Mayonnaise is 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar, 2 teaspoons each, mustard, salt and sugar, dash of pepper, 1 egg and1 pint Wesson Oil.

Mix all ingredients in the mayonnaise maker except the Wesson oil.

The Wesson oil should be “strained” through the top as the other ingredients are being churned.

“Mayonnaise is mainly grease,” Peak said with a smile. “The Riddle family also gave us an old-fashioned coffee grinder that will be on display.

“We are proud that families are interested in what we do here at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama and are willing to share their heritage with us.”

Admission to Butter Churnin’ Syrup Soppin’ Saturday is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and military and $4 for children 5-18. Children four and under are admitted free.