Festival Celebrates Princeville's 175th Anniversary

PRINCEVILLE- A lot can happen over 175 years.  And for Princeville, that's a reason to celebrate. 

For as long as he can remember, Bob Henry has gone to Princeville's annual Heritage Day's festival. Sometimes it's his only chance to reconnect  with old buddies, as if no time has passed at all.

"I think just everybody knows everybody. And school members come back to see this and talk to old members. And old friends and that they don't see, but maybe once previous," said Henry.  

There's games, live music, and of course, lots of food. But Princeville natives say "the people" make heritage days so unique.

"You go to a bigger town and there's like people who don't want to do anything. They are all off to themselves. You come to Princeville and everyone joins forces. It's a community. It's a community and it's a great feeling," says village trustee Ron Delbridge.

But something makes this year's festival even more special. The village is celebrating its 175th birthday. And there's no better occasion to share the community's story.

"You do have people here in the town that know a lot of the history and in an event like this. It really allows them to share that with the young people," said Kelly Jenkins with the Princeville Civic Association.  

Even the name, "Heritage Days," was once something different.

"It's like a homecoming, in fact it used to be the Princeville Homecoming Days. And they changed to the Heritage Days."

Now, the community hopes the festival gets old and young generations to keep coming back. That way, no one will forget why they love Princeville so much.

Heritage Days is free to everyone and it ends on Sunday. Friday, there will be a car show. That's something new this year.