About the Colonial Heritage Festival

Colonial Heritage Festival has its beginnings in July of 2005. That year, under the direction of Genelle Pugmire, Julie Siebach, and Sara Hacken, the Crandal Historic Printing Museum held a colonial-American themed celebration of the tricentennial anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin, in Provo, Utah. Named "Colonial Days," this even included a small colonial village organized by Gregg and Katherine Hardy.

Colonial Days was a success and became an annual event, soon out growing the small space available adjacent to the Museum. In 2008, the colonial village part of Colonial Day moved to a near-by city park, where it continuted to grow and adoped the name Colonial Heritage Festival. Seeking a larger venue, Colonial Heritage Festival moved to its current location at Scera Park in Orem, Utah in 2010. Once occupying a small corner of the park, the event now covers most of the green space (and nearly all of the shade) afforded by the 25-acre park.

The Colonial Heritage Festival is now the largest colonial American living history event in the Western United States. Participants come from many western states and some come from as far away as Virginia. The event is run enitrely by volunteers who give of their time to help people connect with the founding of our nation in a deeply meaningful way. The event is non-partisan and non-secatrian. Although participants may fiercely debate the politicas of 18th century, those of the 21st century are more than two hundred years in the future for our living historians.

At the Colonial Heritage Festival, we believe that there was something truly expeptional about the founding of our nation. We invite you to celebrate it with us. In July, set aside the politics of your day and experience the magic of the American founding.