Niagara Falls has long been a family-friendly destination. From the giant, indoor water park to the bevy of miniature golf courses, kids of all ages can find plenty to do and enjoy. While any time is a great time to take a family vacation to Niagara Falls, the first weekend in September is especially ideal, because Labour Day weekend is always when the Marshville Heritage Festival takes place.

Now in its 27th year, the Marshville Heritage Festival exists to showcase what life was like for a typical Wainfleet farm family back in the late 19th century. To accomplish that goal, over 400 volunteers band together — the vast majority of them in period costumes — to recreate the activities of daily life and work as it would have been experienced over 120 years ago. If you ever wanted a reason to be thankful for today’s modern conveniences, while simultaneously feeling nostalgic for a past that’s long gone, the Marshville Heritage Festival is an ideal destination. Here is a closer look at some of what you can expect to find at this year’s festival.

• Hands-on demonstrations. Throughout each of the festival’s three days, ongoing demonstrations about everything from blacksmithing to musket loading will take place on the grounds and in the buildings.
• Restored heritage buildings. 15 restored period buildings can be toured on the festival grounds, and they each have different displays and activities in them to shed further light on life in the 19th century.
• Delicious food. Like all festivals, the Marshville Heritage Festival does a great job of feeding guests, but unlike most festivals, this one has a pig on a spit, apple butter, and soup cooked over an open fire.
• Worship. Attend an old-time worship service on Sunday.
• A juried craft show. Over 100 makers, crafters, and artisans will be on-site selling their wares.
• Entertainment. Each day will have a slew of entertainment from live music to horse and wagon rides.
• Raffles. There will be at least two raffles that take place over the weekend: one for a genuine Amish quilt, and the other for a canoe that will be built on-site over the course of the weekend.
• Real trades. There will be a working sawmill and a fully operational blacksmith shop on the festival grounds, and both will be running during the weekend.
• Car Show. While they hail from the 20th century and not the 19th, the festival car show is always a big hit. On Saturday, it will feature cars made before 1950. On Sunday, the cars featured are from 1950 to 1974.

Located in Wainfleet Village, the Marshville Heritage Festival takes place over the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of Labour Day Weekend every September. It runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. Tickets are $6, and children under 10 get in free. If you’re interested in a Niagara vacation that’s educational, fun, and totally unforgettable, be sure to spend at least a day in the charming village of Wainfleet at the Heritage Festival.