LSUS Pioneer Day showcases traditional crafts and heritage

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Close to 70 historians will educate people on traditional ways of life at LSUS‘s 27th annual Pioneer Days on October 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will include demonstrations by blacksmiths, wood carvers, leatherworkers, basket weavers, flint knappers, pottery throwers, and stitchworkers.

Pioneer Days began 30 years ago with a few historians and demonstrators; now that it has become a regular event, it has flourished and attracts a larger crowd.

Marty Young is a blacksmith, the Director of the Pioneer Heritage Center, and one of the youngest historians involved at 53.

“Pioneer Day is a celebration of these traditional methods of doing things, but it’s also about preserving these methods by finding the next generation of people to pass these traditions to.”

Since the 2024 event, Pioneer Days has lost three demonstrators. One passed away, and two others retired.

Young said, “I believe in teaching through demonstration; it’s such a great tool. Our demonstration groups teach this way at Pioneer Day, but they’d also recruit new members at events like these as well.”

Young and the other demonstrators want to keep that way of life alive, and while he accepts that technology makes it easy for people to learn, events like this offer something different.

“But until you put your hand on something and learn to strike it here, put pressure there, or carve like this – you’re not learning the process in a deep and meaningful way.”

“Our demonstration groups would love to help someone get started in the learning process, and most groups conduct regular meetings.”

YouTube and other internet sites are fine and contain knowledge, but Young hopes they are just part of the education process.

“You want people to come and get that spark. You hope that everybody who shows an interest will take it up and continue on for a lifetime,” Young said.

Students of any age get in free, while adult tickets are $5 each. Vendors will also be selling their work.

Contact Young at marty.young@lsus.edu for more information about Pioneer Day or other local folklife groups.