The Program Director for Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach says after nearly a year of planning, Pioneer Days is now less than a week away.

The festival runs from Friday, July 31 to Monday, August 3. Anne Toews notes preparation starts already a year in advance. According to Toews, almost immediately after Pioneer Days wraps for the year, they will begin booking entertainment for the next year. Plus, she says it takes hours and hours to recruit all the volunteers for the four day festival.

Toews says historically, Pioneer Days attracts between 6500 and 7000 visitors. She notes one thing that's different about a festival weekend is all of the living demonstrations. This includes log sawing, threshing, bread baking and rope making. There are also interpreters in the building, which is different from any other day of the year.

(Dave Ginter in the blacksmith shop)Pioneer Days has a lot to offer families, according to Toews. This includes kids activities in the children's tent, entertainer Mr. Ken, inflatable bouncers and a petting zoo. Toews also encourages youth to take part in the crokinole tournament. This tournament has several categories including junior, for those aged 6 to 13 and then a separate category for those 14 years of age and older.

Toews says another highlight this weekend will be the demonstration of a player piano. This instrument, built in 1912 was donated to the museum. Toews says restoration work has been done over the last year and it is now back to its playing form.

And Toews says it wouldn't be Pioneer Days without all the food. The usual cabbage borscht, perogies and sausage will be on the menu, as well as waffles and sauce.