Ohio’s oldest existing settlement at Gnadenhutten was founded by German Americans and Lenape Native Americans in 1772 and today is home to nearly 1,300 people. Every August, residents of the village and visitors from the region enjoy Pioneer Days, an annual fundraising event sponsored by the Gnadenhutten Historical Society.

Pioneer Days is August 5-7 and features a pre-1840 pioneer encampment where guests can step back in time, while 35-40 camps demonstrate skills and accoutrement relative to the period. Guests can listen to stories told by campers that remain in character for the weekend and enjoy simple clothing, woodworking, sewing, cooking over an open fire, music, crafts and games while they meander through the grounds.

Encampment coordinator, Greg Van Fossen, has been with the festival for nine years and said, “The encampment adds entertainment and education to the event.”

The event will also feature crafts, a crock auction, a morning church service and an Indian Princess Pageant.

The crock auction consists of 10 crocks made especially for the event and begins Sunday at 2 p.m.

The popular Indian Princess Pageant is open to all girls in Tuscarawas County ages 10-13. The 2010-2011 reign has been held by Ashley Dickey, age 11, of Dover. Dickey will enter the sixth grade at Dover Middle School in the fall. Her attendant is Alysia Corpman, age 13, of Port Washington. Corpman attends school at Indian Valley.

Over the last year, both Dickey and Corpman have served their reigns and have traveled extensively throughout the state to promote the Pioneer Days Festival and the history of Gnadenhutten. The girls made public appearances at 16 different festivals, five parades and five guest appearances.

The farthest the girls traveled was to the Wooly Bear Festival at Vermillion where they enjoyed being the hostesses in a parade televised by WJW Channel 8.

“It’s been a great year,” said Cindy Dickey, Ashley’s mom. “It’s a lot of work and Ashley has learned so much. It has been a great educational experience for her. She’s learned public speaking and has had the opportunity to interact with other festival queens.

“Traveling is tough. There were times we would do one or two festival appearances in a weekend with our day beginning at 6:30 a.m. and not ending until 9 o’clock at night,” said Cindy Dickey. “It’s worth it. The girls learn so much and have made so many new friends with girls from diversified backgrounds.

“Every festival the girls attend, they learn about the events and when other queens travel to Gnadenhutten, they share information about Pioneer Days and the history of the village,” said Cindy Dickey.

The Pioneer Days Indian Princess is chosen by a panel of judges that base their decision on the applicant’s talent, knowledge of the history of Gnadenhutten and public speaking skills.

At this year’s Pioneer Days, Ashley Dickey and Corpman will participate in the 2011 Indian Princess pageant, Friday at 7 p.m., by performing the talents that helped them win, piano for Dickey and tap dance for Corpman. They will give their final speeches of their reigns.

On Saturday, the girls will host a Visiting Queens Luncheon for 53 people at the Masonic Temple. After lunch, the party will visit the festival and tour the museum.

Sunday, the girls will participate in the crock auction and will present crocks to the winning bidders.

“The pageant is growing and helping to make the festival more popular,” said Cindy Dickey. “The girls worked really hard to promote Pioneer Days and the village.”

Pioneer Days is held at the Gnadenhutten Historical Society’s Gnadenhutten Memorial Park and Museum at 352 S. Cherry St. and admission is free.

For more information contact John Heil at 740-254-7382.