The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum is welcoming the public to learn about local history in an expanded celebration of its annual Past is Present Heritage Festival, which is being held this year on the civic holiday, Monday, Aug. 5.

Traditionally held on the front lawn of the museum, located at 43 Castlereagh St., the expansion of this year’s event includes taking some of the excitement out into the street, which will be closed to vehicle traffic, allowing for more food and vendor and exhibit options.

“For us, this is a community connections event,” said organizer Mary-Alice Hanson. 

“We want to share the public how things might have been done 100, 200 or even 250 years ago when some of the original settling was being done in the Niagara area.” 

While exhibits such as 1800s-era blacksmithing, antique musket and firearm displays, handweavers and heritage map presentations are always exciting to witness, the big attraction, Hanson said, is always the treasure sale.

“Museum members donate special items from their homes for a sort of a curated yard sale, if you will.”

Additional attractions and presentations this year include the St. Catharines Rug Hooking Guild, Missus Mooney’s Halfpenny Dreadfuls Cabinet of Curiosities, Mackenzie Printery, the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts as well as musical acts that include the Niagara Old Tyme Fiddlers and a group called the Great Canadian Songbook.

“They are a small group that actually plays songs that have been put together (using) the history of the Niagara region,” said Hanson.

The festival kicks off at 11 a.m. on holiday Monday and ends at 3 p.m. Entry is free.