Berne Heritage Days 2005 was a big success. Gordon & Joan Wright (the webmasters of this site) went to their first Berne Heritage Days this year. We want to thank to all of the volunteers and organizers that made the festival successful, with a special thanks to Hal, Marilyn, Ralph and Jan. We also know many of you wanted to be there so we thought we would share the weekend with you.
Click on a picture to enlarge it.
We arrived in Berne Thursday afternoon and had a get together of the Berne Historical Project volunteers. We were meeting all of them for the first time after having talked to them on the internet for years.
Friday we drove around and took pictures. 
Friday evening was the social hour and dinner at the First Reformed Church of Berne. They had appetizers and punch while live music played. Inside we went for homemade chicken dinner. The food keep coming and was great! After dinner, we went into the church sanctuary for the speakers. The World War II veterans were introduced and each shared their war memories. State Assemblyman Jack McEneny was the evening speaker.
Saturday we began the day with a tour of one of the Dutch barns. Terry Shoultes was at this one and we learned alot about the construction.
We then drove to Berne Town Park and set up our booth next to Hal and Ralph. We spent the day scanning in old pictures and talking to everyone. We had internet access to show off the site thanks to Direct TV.
There was a band playing patriotic songs and swings for the kids. The town Supervisor Kevin Crosier was at the ball toss-dunk tank and the chicken BBQ was excellent, cooked over a wood fire.
There were Historical craft demonstrations including Spinning, Weaving, Blacksmithing, and a display of Dutch Barn Preservation Society.
The veterans spoke of their experience in World War II.
The World War II encampment was impressive!
Gordon met with his cousin Jean Wright at the booth. After dark, the town of Berne had "the best display of fireworks I have ever seen, the best grand-finale ever " said Gordon Wright (and he grew up near DisneyLand).
Sunday we were up early with shovels and gloves to restore the Wright Family Burying Ground on Willsey Road. There was a great turn out, but were we tired after that day. We relaxed at Ralph's pond house after with a picnic lunch. Barb's yellow squash casserole was a big hit!
