If you want to enjoy a day in New Jersey's pinelands, Batsto is the destination for you. Time has stood still for this vintage village that is on the National Register of Historic Places and is centered in the middle of miles of undeveloped land. Most days a visit to the Batsto Village and mansion will be a peaceful day for reflection on the life of a by-gone era. When the Country Living Fair is held the site is transformed into a busy exciting event that makes it rank as one of the best festivals in South Jersey. This year it was held on Sunday October 19th. Traditional folk dancing, country music featuring guitars and dulcimers, old engines puffing away, vintage cars and tractors, and book sales on local history attracted the visitors. A wide range of homey craft dealers were set up to sell their wares.
If you want a brief history of Batsto, check out this site:
Many of the local history books on the NJ pinelands cost a little more than twenty dollars but on this day a good discount will get you a "Piney" history book for about 15 dollars. I bought a paper back called the "Legendary Locals of the Pine Barrens of New Jersey". I was talking to the author's husband and he directed me to one of the featured "locals" who has written a couple of books of her own on the historic area. So she signed my book on her page:
It was a chilly day but this did not stop this woman's work on the loom. Some crafts are very common place like handmade soaps and candles but you do not get to see hand woven pieces like these all that frequently:
The general store:
Many of the old time machines returned from the previous years but this old boat engine was "new":
My grandfather had a 1941 John Deere like this one:
Extreme Rules:
The sweet sounds of the dulcimers fit well for that country spirit of the event:
This fellow was such a spectacle in his Native American garb authentic or not. He did draw a small audience that listened intently as he shared his knowledge of the indigenous tribes of the area:
