Normally, Ohio University Southern is a study in all things modern. But one weekend out of each year for the last 18 years, the campus takes on the look and feel of an old-fashioned fair, complete with apple butter making, soap making and old-time music.

The 18th annual Festival of the Hills will be Sept. 11 and 12. Organizer Dott Mayne said she is expecting 2,500 people to visit the two-day festival.

"We plan each of our festival activities so that we offer something for everyone, all with the purpose of celebrating our rich traditions of the historical Hanging Rock iron furnace region," Mayne said.

Children's storytelling, pony rides, children's games and music and even a petting zoo will entertain young festival goers.

One new exhibit this year will feature chuck wagon expert, Ron Walters of New Richmond. Walters will bring his vintage 1860s chuck wagon with original equipment.

Civil War memorabilia and quilts will be on display along with a doll making exhibit

and concession stands selling a variety of foods.

The Lawrence County chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star will handle the apple butter making. First Church of the Nazarene will make homemade chicken and noodles.

One new addition to this year's musical entertainment lineup is a quartet of musicians from Salem who will play traditional instruments and

sing traditional songs. Bill Schilling and friends will perform Saturday from 10:30-4:30 on the OUS patio.

Another new feature this year is a dulcimer performance on Sunday afternoon. Four Lawrence Countians will share their talents on the OUS patio.

What does it take to produce a two-day festival with this many exhibits? Months and months of planning, Mayne said.

"We'll have our first meeting in October. We'll probably skip a month or two but then start back again in January. As you can see, we have a very small committee. We're thankful for help from Ohio University Southern and lots of friends and volunteers who come just that one weekend. They're really a big help."

Schedule

Admission: $1, children 12 and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Addtional charges for trolley rides; first 500 children receive free popcorn

10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday

9:45 a.m. Opening ceremonies with Ironton Mayor John Elam and Rock Mayne as master of ceremonies.

Boy Scout troop 106

will perform flag presenation, Chris laber will sing the National Anthem and IHS Singers will sing "God Bless America".

Noon IHS singers patriotic program

2 p.m. The Fugitives on stage

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday

11.a.m. church service

Noon OU Nature center snake exihibit

1 p.m. Second Generation on stage

3:30 p.m. Porter Creek cloggers on stage

Featured exhibits

(each day, unless otherwise noted):

Pony rides Sat. 10 a.m. -3 p.m.

and Sun 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Trolley rides $1 Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sun. 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Hospitality Booth

Katie Owens, singer

Briggs-Lawrence Library display

Boyd Scout Troop 106 display and Indian dances

Wayne National Forest nature hut

Chuckwagon expert Ron Walters

King's Daughters Medical Center health screenings

Face painting

Soup beans and cornbread (cooked outside)

Live snake exihibit : Sunday (outside)

Bagpipe music with Martin Smith

Historical interpreter Pat Hollingshead

Ray Wilson, guitarist and singer

Doll making (Academic Building)

Civil War historian, Judge Frank McCown

Quilt display (Collins Center front lobby)

Lawrence County Historical Museum display

Chicken and noodles, homemade

Petting Zoo

Robert Culp, the Science Wizard

Antique Car and Cycle exhibit

Applebutter making