Watch a 126-year-old mill run at Millfest 2024 in Lindsborg

LINDSBORG — For those interested in seeing a more than 120-year-old flour mill running, Millfest in Lindsborg this weekend is the place to be.

Happening each year by the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum, Millfest, with tours running from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, celebrates the history of the community by having millers run the only working mill in the Midwest that uses 19th century technology.

“It’s a tour that engages all the senses,” said Lenora Lynam, executive director of the museum. “You can feel the floors rumble under your feet; hear the rattle and whir of machines, gears, and belts; see beautifully restored wood and metal equipment; and even maybe smell and taste a bit of the residue of grain dust in the air. If you haven’t gone to Millfest, you owe it to yourself to come.”

The Old Mill only runs during Millfest each year

While to an outsider, the Old Mill at 120 E. Mill St. might just look like a old, multi-story, brick building, what happened around the clock during its peak time in service, and what will happen for the few hours each year during Millfest is something to behold.

"It's when you go inside that you realize just how special it is," said Adam Pracht, marketing and communications director for the museum.

Pracht said that it takes time and knowledge to get the mill running for those few hours each first Saturday in May, but with the help of millers who have such knowledge, it's a sight and sound to be seen and heard.

"In basic principals, what's over there (at the Old Mill) is, in essence, (the same as) what they do today," Pracht said. "It's a lot of improvements in safety and efficiency that makes modern mills (what they are)."

Because of some of this older technology being used in the Old Mill, for safety reasons, tours while it is running Saturday, which cost $10, are restricted to those 13 years or older. When it shuts back down at 4:45 p.m. it will open back up to families with children 12 and younger for a free mill tour.

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Other Millfest activities include axe throwing, music and more

While the highlight of the day is the running mill, other things go on throughout Millfest at the museum and in Heritage Square.

New this year is axe throwing, provided by Oak and Iron Lanes out of Wichita, will be available from noon to 3 p.m. for $5 a person for a wristband that allows unlimited trips through the throwing line.

For children and the young at heart, yard games, such as stick-and-hoop races and Kubb, a traditional Swedish game, will happen throughout the day in lawn of the square. There will also be Dala horse decoration happening beginning at 10 a.m. in the Heritage Square schoolhouse.

Music entertainment will begin at 11 a.m. on the front porch of the museum with acts including Front Porch Pickers, Old Man Lingonberry and new this year, "Bethany Goes to Broadway," featuring Bethany College students performing show tunes.

At 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Lindsborg Folkdanslag will be leading guests with traditional Swedish dance at the Heritage Square green maypole.

Food Trucks will be on hand serving lunch including Paradise Eats, which offers burgers, street tacos and other sandwiches and Kim's Express Foods, offering Asian fusion including gumbo, tamales and eggrolls.

Finally, there will be a number of vendors, tables and demonstrations happening throughout the day in Heritage Square for people to pick up a new, handmade gift for themselves or others.

For more information, including a full list and schedule of events, vendors and more, visit the events page on the Old Mill Museum website, www.oldmillmuseum.org/events .

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Watch a 126-year-old mill run at Millfest 2024 in Lindsborg