Carroll County will celebrate its past, present and future at the 153rd Old Settlers celebration Aug. 6-9 in Delphi.

The celebration is believed to be the longest running festival of its kind in Indiana.

Carroll County Historical Society Museum, located in the courthouse, will be open Wednesday evening, Aug. 6, and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons and evenings.

On Friday evening and on Saturday from noon until 9 p.m., visitors can see old time crafts inside and outside the museum, and there will be free games and activities for children. Smiles Unlimited (clowns) will do face painting at the courthouse gazebo on Aug. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Special music from times past will feature the Dulcimer Gathering from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday on the courthouse lawn and Banjo Nutz from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The townships will decorate downtown windows to reflect their history and contributions to the county.

The annual Old Settlers Rendezvous (pioneer and primitive encampments) will be held Wednesday through Sunday at Canal Park. Visitors are welcome.

Another way for Carroll Countians to connect and appreciate their past is to attend the Old Settlers meeting Aug. 9 at the Delphi United Methodist Church. Registration begins at 1 p.m., and the meeting starts at 1:30.

Delphi Chamber of Commerce will ensure that attendees enjoy the present with a nightly carnival and entertainment on the courthouse east lawn.

Rides and amusements will run from 5 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday, and noon to 11 on Saturday.

Those who want to sit back and enjoy each evening's entertainment are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.

Wednesday's entertainment will include the Eel River Indian Tribe drum band, "Senior Class" (Bob Conner and Lois Powlen), and the Tonsil Klackers.

Thursday's fare will be Carroll County Extension Homemakers Chorus, Snow's Tae Kwon Do, and Atlanta Music Hall Band. Friday will feature the Canine Cavalcade Preview and young country singer, Aaron Kelly.

Saturday's entertainment will be Snow's Tae Kwon Do and the Burnett Creek Bluegrass Band.

Delphi Preservation Society also is planning entertainment and tours during Old Settlers.

On Friday at 7 p.m., DPS will host renowned Indiana photographer John Bower, who will present a slideshow highlighting some of his work. His presentation will be entitled "Capturing the Soul of Indiana - a Celebration of Our Overlooked Cultural Heritage. The program will be held in the Circuit Court Room, third floor of the courthouse.

Free trolley tours, sponsored by DPS, will showcase some of Delphi's oldest and most beautiful homes and businesses. The tours will be given Saturday afternoon, departing from Murphy Fountain on the southwest corner of the courthouse square.

The DPS also is bringing local singer/songwriter Eric Hicks to the Delphi Opera House stage on Saturday night, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m.

Tours of the Delphi Opera House will be held each evening throughout Old Settlers at posted times. Visitors can see what used to be, while learning about the future, with the opera house restoration plans.

Many other activities and events are planned during Old Settlers including special dinners, Delphi Art Club's Art Show in the courthouse, Canine Cavalcade at Riley Park from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, antique cars and tractor display Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m. (Regions bank parking lot), and the Freedom Run (motorcycle ride) Saturday. Registration for the Freedom Run will start at 9:30 a.m., with the first bike out at 10 a.m.