SPRINGFIELD — History is always on the march. It can’t be stopped by anything.

 Fundraisers, unfortunately, are another story.

On April 16, the Effingham County Museum and Living History Site will host the Olde Effingham Day Festival for the first time since 2019. The 2020 and 2021 editions of the annual event were nixed because of COVID-19 concerns.

The festival is the museum’s largest fundraiser by a considerable margin.

“We really need this to happen,” longtime museum associate Beverly Poole said.

The 15th Olde Effingham Festival, set at the corner of Pine and Early streets across from the Historic Effingham County Courthouse, will start at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. It will feature centuries-old displays, arts and crafts, vintage vehicles and tractors, a bake sale, sandwiches, food trucks, children’s activities, hay rides, animals, cannon firings and various demonstrations.

There will also be a photography exhibit, plant sale and used book sale. Plus, an assortment of local emergency personnel, including a K9 unit, and vehicles will be on hand.

The Living History Site features 12 buildings dating from 1790-1950, including furnished houses, a barn a blacksmith ship, carpenter ship, the former Rincon Post Office, Bethel School and Bethel School.

For more information, call 912-754-2170.