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Second annual Journey Through Time May 13 in PdC

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Area musician Denny Garcia got toes-a-tappin’ and put smiles on faces at the Journey Through Time, a Wisconsin Historical Downtown Open House event. (Courier Press file photos)

A sharply-attired Chuck Dyer greeted guests and gave tours of the former Fort Crawford Hotel in downtown Prairie du Chien Saturday. The land for the hotel was purchased in 1864 and the hotel was built sometime between 1864 and 1870.

A group enjoyed riding along Blackhawk Avenue in a horse-drawn carriage. The horse-drawn rides will again be sponsored by Peoples State Bank for Journey Through Time.

More than a dozen historical venues in Prairie du Chien—many not usually open to the public—will open their doors on May 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., for free or reduced-fee entry as part of Journey Through Time, a Wisconsin Historical Downtown Open House event. The first event of its kind was held last year, in association with other Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) communities, and, due to its popularity, is being repeated with new sites and activities.

“We’re really excited about this opportunity to showcase the rich history of our area and not only promote these attractions to local residents, but also attract visitors to our area and local businesses,” said Marlene Dyer, past-president of PdC Main Street and main liaison with WEDC on this event. “In working with various venues, we will be recreating historical events and activities along with showcasing the structures.”

Historic and interesting site tours include: the Knowlton House, old Crawford County Jail, Alaska Canadian Fur Trading Co., first Fort Crawford block house, the Old Rock School, Mississippi River Sculpture Park, Fort Crawford Museum (minimum admission fee), Crawford County Administration Building art exhibits and artifacts, the Dousman House (3-5 p.m. only).

Some of the additional activities include:

•The “Hole in the Sock” gang will perform downtown at 10 a.m. and throughout the day

•Prairie du Chien High School’s Out to Lunch vocal jazz group will perform at 11 a.m. in the Knowlton House

•St. Feriole Island Memorial Gardens plant sale and “Plant a Flower for Mom”

•Selfie contest (#picture yourselfinpdc) hosted by U.S. Cellular Authorized Agent/Radio Shack

•Guided tour at the first Ft. Crawford block house

•“Cinderella Carriage” horse-drawn rides, sponsored by Peoples State Bank

•Children’s Crafts at The Pickett Fence, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

•Food sampling from by-gone era recipes at The Local Oven

•Cannon firing every half-hour at the Fort Crawford Museum, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

•Villa Louis “And the Bride Wore” 50 years of Victorian Wedding Fashions Exhibit

•Food stand by the Prairie du Chien Fire Department (corner of Beaumont and Blackhawk)

•Souvenir “Old Tyme” portraits in period clothing and backdrop at The Local Oven

Also, a special “Magical History Tour” of homes is scheduled with limited tickets available. Advance ticket purchases are recommended, as they may sell quickly, at RadioShack, The Pickett Fence and Associated Bank. The day of the event, if any tickets are available, they will be sold at the Knowlton House for an increased fee.

“We have a rich line-up to offer, and we know this will allow us to gain more representation among the WEDC plans as well,” Dyer added. “It will be a great time for people to get to know their local community better and for visitors to plan a road trip to explore the Prairie du Chien area. We had a great response in 2016 and look for even more success this year.”

Maps for the event can be picked up at the Knowlton House. Also, event activities will continue to be promoted online at www.facebook.com/mainstreetpdc. For more information, email mainstreetpdc@gmail.com.

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