Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The rains have gone for a while; the sun is showing its face and there’s a hint of fall in the air.

Altogether, a perfect setting for Pioneer Days at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama, said Barbara Tatom, museum director.

Pioneer Days gets underway at 10 a.m. today and will continue on Saturday closing at 4 p.m. both days. “The Mystic Wind Choctaw National Dancers from Mississippi will be a featured group both days,” Tatom said. “The dancers demonstrate social dances and talk about the traditions of the dance. One of the dancers also chants. Hearing him chant will be a unique opportunity.”

The dancers will also demonstrate stickball and other Native American games and talk about the origin of the games and other traditions.

An added attraction both days will be the firing of a replica of a Civil War cannon. Bob McLendon will fire the cannon at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

Tatom said opportunities to hear the booming of a cannon are few. She expressed appreciation to McLendon for providing the opportunity for visitors to Pioneer days.

Davy Crockett will shoot straight and tell tales; Ruth Overstreet will demonstrate chair weaving; Richard Cumbie will make ropes and Art McKnatt will keep the general store. There will be woodwork, blacksmithing, circuit riding, re-enactments from the War of 1812 and the Civil War and singing and storytelling, things to see and do and unique things to buy.

“So, make plans to step back in time to the days of the American pioneers, Friday and Saturday at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama,” Tatom said.

Admission is $12. Members and ages 5 and under are free. Pioneer Days at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama is sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.