The craftsmanship and artistry of our 1800s ancestors will be celebrated at the annual Canal Days on Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2 at Canal Park in Delphi.

More than a dozen craftsmen will demonstrate pioneer skills such as basket making, threadwork, blacksmithing, candle dipping, china painting, flintnapping, spinning and weaving.

A new feature at the festival this year will be the Prince William Grain Mill, operated by Carroll and Norma Miller. They own a corn grinder which is reminiscent of the grain ground at the former grist mill which functioned along the Wildcat, and which burned. Prince William was one of the many villages in that area.

A sampling of other new crafters this year include: Christine Crow, seventeenth-century needlework; Lee Daugherty, leathercrafting;, Bob Levitt, bowl carving; Kraig Dawalt, wooden toys; Sherri Cripe, calligraphy; and Pastor Eric Haley, bookbinding.

Activities, displays, demonstrations and events to please all age groups are planned for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and for Sunday from noon until 5 p.m.

On display outside will be the canal's recently acquired and restored 200-year-old loom. Demonstrations will be given on it.

Walk through the Interpretive Center museum to learn about the Wabash & Erie Canal, and view canal related videos in the Conference Center. Visit the1844 restored Reed Case House. Take a ride in the horsedrawn carriage or the pony cart. Or sample the experience of riding in the temporary canal boat at 1 and 3 p.m. both days. (The real thing is coming in the next couple of years.)

The younger crowd will enjoy old-fashioned children's games. Food and beverages will be available, and a ham and bean supper is planned for Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Special events will include a bake walk on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.; a pet parade on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.; narrated trail walks both days at 2 and 4 p.m.; and tours about the Canal Center's historic facade both days at 1 and 3 p.m.

Music for the festival will be by the banjo group, Banjo Nutz.

Admission to Canal Days is free. Proceeds from food and gift items go to the nonprofit Wabash & Erie Canal Association.