The annual Olde Effingham Days is getting a new sponsor and a new name.

The Historic Effingham Society has taken over the annual event, which will be held April 12 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It will be called the Effingham Festival at the Living History Site.

There won’t be a street dance or a headline concert, which in years past has featured the Swingin’ Medallions and The Tams.

“It will not be as grand as it was last year,” said Betty Renfro of the Historic Effingham Society.

The museum and the Living History Site will be open throughout the day. The museum, located in the old Effingham Jail, has 10 rooms, with exhibits and artifacts dating back centuries. A doll and quilt show will be held at the Gnann Summer House at the Living History Site, and the Blandford Depot will be open.

The Living History Site has 12 buildings, including furnished homes from the 1800s. Along with implements of long-ago farms, there also will be demonstrations of skills such as woodworking, beekeeping, blacksmithing and whiskey distilling.

Though there won’t be a headline act, Renfro said there will be entertainment.

“We’ll have local talent singing,” she said. “We’ll have rambling musicians throughout the day.”

The festival will feature old tractors and antique cars.

Craft and food vendors will set up in front of the museum, and the Historic Society will serve food at the Hut with hash and rice, barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs and drinks.

Springfield City Council members also voted to donate $1,000 from the city’s special events fund for the festival.

“This has become a traditional event,” said council member Kenny Usher. “The city of Springfield and the Historic Society are joined at the hip.”

On the day of the festival, Pine Street from Early Street to Rabun Street will be closed, and Early Street from Oak to Pine streets will be closed. Visitors can park at the courthouse parking lot.

Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

Volunteers also are needed. For more information, call 754-2170 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.