Pie social takes visitors back in time
Visitors can time travel this weekend during the 34th annual Arabella’s Pie Social and History Fair without ever having to leave Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum.
They can enjoy some homemade pie and hot or cold drink in the early 20th century Edwardian-themed Arabella’s Tea Room.
Or they step back one century and visit a War of 1812 field hospital that will be set up on the museum grounds.
“That will be interesting,” said assistant museum curator Michelle Mason of the field hospital.
She said interpreters from Old Fort Erie will be with the field hospital to talk with people interested in learning a bit of medical history.
If that’s not enough history and time travel, people can also check out the blacksmith shop with a working forge, spinning demonstrations in the log house, check out what Niagara Antique Power Association has on location, print a card on a heritage press or try on a traditional costume.
There are also treasures — ancient and modern — to be found at the Towpath Treasurers Flea Market inside the L.R. Wilson Heritage Research Archives.
While those things are happening during the event, which runs from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 27, Mason said the main focus is on Arabella’s, celebrating its 40th anniversary and the longest volunteer-run tea room in Canada.
“It’s all about the pie and the opening of Arabella’s for the season,” said Mason, adding the day is a nice family event.
The tea room’s official opening is June 1, and from then until June 9, people can get tea for two — tea and biscuits for two people for $5.
“We’re going to have an official reopening of Arabella’s on June 1 at 1:30 p.m. and are encouraging people to wear their hats and gloves all week.”
During the pie social, Mason said, musician Frank Krahn will perform classic rock, jazz and blues from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. under the pavilion beside the tea room.
“We’re holding a plant sale as well and we planted some succulents in China teacups … we get a lot of teacups donated to the tea room.”
Mason said there will also be activities for children to take part in throughout the day, including croquet.
She said the pie social and history fair originally started off as a craft sale inside the tea room and gradually evolved into what it is today.