The Pioneer Museum of Alabama will host its first “Homegrown Arts and Crafts Festival: A Celebration of Southern Arts and Crafts” from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is only $1 and includes admission to the museum, which houses 18,000 artifacts from the pioneer era.

Seth Kinard, museum assistant director, said the Homegrown Arts and Crafts Festival is a fun way to get back to Alabama’s roots or to experience, for the first time, how things used to be done.

“The weather is predicted to be sunny with the feel of fall so it will be a great weekend to get outside and enjoy a shopping stroll around the museum grounds or to catch a ride on Don Renfroe’s mule and wagon,” Kinard said.

“To name a few, craftsmen will have items including woodwork, needlework, clothing, wreaths, leatherwork and candles. There will be a variety of produce for sale as well as herbs, spices and dried teas and, of course, the museum gift shop will offer a variety of unique items.”

Kari Barley, museum director, said the “Homegrown Arts and Crafts Festival: A Celebration of Southern Arts and Crafts” is planned as a family event.

“We’ll have entertainment on the grounds and everyone will be invited to stroll the museum grounds and make stops along way,” she said. “Children especially enjoy the old steam-engine train, the covered bridge and the walking trails. Those who would like to bring a picnic are encouraged to do so. We have picnic tables available or you can spread a blanket on the ground and enjoy a family time together.”

Several food vendors will be at the Homegrown Arts and Crafts Festival with popular harvest-time favorites including roasted corn, meat skins, funnel cakes and boiled peanuts.

“We invite everyone to join us for our first ‘Homegrown Arts and Crafts Festival,’” Barley said. “We are starting small but hope that our ‘Celebration of Southern Arts and Crafts’ will grow to be a popular fall arts and crafts event. The Pioneer Museum grounds are an ideal place for an old-time arts and crafts festival and we look forward to seeing the festival grow.”

The Pioneer Museum of Alabama is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday except on holidays. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for students. Children ages five and under are admitted free. The museum is located at 258 Highway 231 North in Troy.