Featuring a variety of activities reminiscent of the bygone days, the Homesteader Days Festival returns this weekend.

Hosted by Homesteader Museum in Powell, the ninth annual festival Saturday features kids’ games, outhouse races, artisans, demonstrations, historic farm machinery, a car-truck-tractor show, food vendors and live music by The Rewinders. Events begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and continue through 3 p.m. at the museum, 324 E. First St. in Powell.

As a new addition this year, Stage Left Photobooth will be set up to take pictures with some of the Homesteader’s historic hats. The Powell Branch Library will be hosting its annual salsa contest in conjunction with the festival.

The annual Homesteader Days Pie Auction will be held in honor of Ruby Hopkin, a longtime supporter of the museum who died earlier this year.

“Ruby was the key source behind the pie auction at Homesteader Days,” said Brandi Wright, curator/director of Homesteader Museum. “She knew it would be a hit with the community, from people making and baking a variety of pies to purchasing the homemade delicious [pie] of their choice.”

Ruby and her husband, Burchell Hopkin, were involved with the Homesteader Museum Association Board for many years. Their involvement ranged from “working on acquiring the Bever Homestead house to helping with every event from gallery openings to fundraisers,” Wright said.

“She was always willing to go above and beyond for everything,” Wright said of Hopkin. “Even if she just brought a bouquet of her garden flowers to set on the table at an event.”

This weekend’s festivities also include the second annual Farm to Table Dinner on Friday night at Washington Park. Tickets for the dinner had to be purchased in advance.

For Wright, this is her first Homesteader Days as the museum’s director.

“I am impressed with the community of Powell who all come together to make this a successful event,” she said.

People have stepped up to help in a variety of ways and brainstorm ideas.

“I feel it is all falling into place and if I forgot something, I will get it next year!” she said.

For more information, contact the museum at 754-9481 or visit www.homesteadermuseum.com.

— By Tessa Baker