Mountain Lake area history celebrated during annual Heritage Fair
The 43rd-annual Utschtallung (which means “a gathering” in Low German) or Heritage Fair, in an Englishified version of the name – takes advantage of Heritage Village, a place in Mountain Lake where the “olden days” can be found every day, turning back the clock back to tell the history of this area – one building at a time.
This year’s fair – a festival of food, fun and entertainment – will be held Saturday, September 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Heritage Village, which is located on the city’s southeast corner, just off of Minnesota State Highway #60 and Cottonwood County Road #1.
Gate admission to the event is – free (donations are welcome).
Those attending are encouraged to come dressed in pioneer-era clothing, adding to the historical atmosphere.
The heritage and culture of the Russian Mennonites and Russian Lutherans – and, of late, the Laotians – who immigrated to this southwest Minnesota prairie and made it their home, can be found at every turn – and significantly includes a wide away of ethnic foods.
These include (from the Russian Mennonite and Lutheran heritage) – crullers (topped with jam if you like), perischke (fruit tart), peppernuts, portzilke (deep-fried New Year’s cookie packed with raisins), zwiebach (two-story bun), schnetke (biscuit), verenike (cottage cheese pockets with gravy), rull coka (deep-fried pastry), moos (fruit soup), borscht (vegetable soup featuring cabbage), dark bread, sausage, ham, sausage sandwich, homeade ice cream, sunflower seeds – and – from the Laotian culture, egg rolls. Also available to eat will be hot dogs, pork burgers, homemade ice cream, popcorn and pop. the food will be served until its gone.
A bake sale featuring the ethnic specialties will be held in the Big Shed.
The rundown on the day will be as follows:
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Antique Car Show.
- 10:30 a.m. – Fourth Grade Spelling Bee led by Schoolmarm Nordis Olson/Children’s Story in the Schoolhouse.
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Knowledge Match.
- 11:30 a.m. – Children’s Parade on the Prairie.
- 12:30 p.m. – Jeremy Poland Band.
- 1:30 p.m. – Georgia’s Dance Elements.
- 2 p.m. – Jeremy Poland Band.
The Pioneer Village includes:
- Minnesota’s only authentic Mennonite Homestead, a connected house and barn – as they were back in the day (circa 1884).
- Minnesota Telephone Museum.
- Prairie Interpretive Center.
- Exhibits in 19 buildings.
- Antique machinery.
- Beautiful flower beds.
Special attractions on the day will be:
- Gifts and souvenirs in the Gift Shop.
- Displays in the interior of the red Buhler Barn.
- Family Genealogy Research in the Welcome Center.
- Music throughout the Village.
- Mountain Lake Yearbook display.
- Mountain Lake Medical Records research in the Hospital.
- Farmer’s Market.
The purpose of Heritage Village is to preserve the past for the future.
