The annual Homesteader Days festival weekend, put on by the Homesteader Museum to honor the pioneers who transformed the Powell Valley into a farming oasis in the high desert, returns this weekend.

“First came the question: 'How do we turn a desert into an oasis?' Then came the answer: water! If we bring the water the people will come.' Oh yes, they did come,” said Homesteader Museum Director Brandi Wright. “From a few tenacious homesteaders to the present, today Powell and Park County is home to over 31,000 people! These individuals carved out life for themselves on the fertile soil that lay beneath the sage and rabbit brush.”

The event starts Friday night with an invitation only event that has been sold out for weeks: The Farm to Table Dinner Fundraiser. The evening at the Park County Fairgrounds showcases local ag products and catering by Sarah Bear’s Farmhouse Kitchen.

The main event Saturday is a free, family oriented event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. As usual, there will be historic farm equipment and tractors to see, fresh apple cider and root beer floats to taste, chances to win a pie with a raffle, a gift shop to peruse, silent auction in the back courtyard, food trucks to satisfy your hunger, artisan vendors and information booths, and kid’s games and activities. 

At 1:30 p.m. the Ruby Hopkin Commemorative Pie Auction will begin. Delicious home-baked pies will be offered to the highest bidder.  

Attendees can also enjoy the car show sponsored by the Vehicle Visions Car Show — contact the Eagles for additional information or email vehiclevisionscarshow@gmail.com.  On Sunday, the last Battle on the Bench drag race will take place at the Powell Airport with gates opening at 7 a.m., cost is $10 per person and ages 12 and under are free. Attendees should bring a chair as there are no bleachers or seating available. For more information check out the organization's Facebook page.