T-Minus 8 Days to the Downtown Farmington Founders Festival

History plays a large role in this year's Downtown Farmington Founders Festival, thanks to an expansion of events and activities that honor the community's founders.

The History Booth

Located on the grounds at , this big tent represents six local history groups: the Farmington Historical Society; the Farmington Historical Commission; the Farmington Hills Historical Commission; Farmington Hills Historic District Commission; the in Farmington Hills; and Pastways, a not-for-profit historic corporation based in Farmington.

Pastways Director Brian Golden will offer local history books for sale and will be on hand to answer your local history questions. From 1-4 p.m. Saturday, he will narrate the Magical History Tour of Farmington and Farmington Hills, a 45-minute bus tour of the community's most historic locations. The bus is provided at no charge by , so the tours are offered free of charge. To reserve your seat, pick up a ticket for the time you want at the History Booth, starting Friday. Tours leave at 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.

Revolutionary War re-enactors will set up camp near the History Booth on Saturday, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) will bring in a display that features the genealogy of a local family.

Antique Market

Extending the event "footprint" to the west, this year's Founders Festival introduces an Antique Market. This event, which is open to anyone with antiques to sell, will be held under the trees at , a triangular patch of trees and grass on the south side of Grand River at Oakland St., west of City Hall. The park was created after the Farmington Women's Club sent a letter to village officials in 1899, asking that green space be set aside in the growing central business district.

If you'd like to participate in the market, visit foundersfestival.com and download an application.

Governor Warner Mansion

Just west of Women's Park and the History Booth at City Hall, the offers activities all three days of the Founders Festival:

1-4 p.m. July 15 — Children's activities on the grounds include a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and animal balloons (a small fee will be charged). A Farmington fire truck and police car will also be on hand, along with a small collection of vintage autos. Farmington’s own Bellacino’s will sell hot dogs, chips and beverages.

Noon-7 p.m. July 16 — Story teller Rosie Chapman will provide two interactive performances based on historic figures at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the lawn. Victorian games will be arranged on the lawn, and players will be assisted from 1-4 p.m. by the newly crowned Miss Oakland County and her court.

An expanded flea market is open to local residents, who may either donate items to the Governor Warner Mansion or reserve a space for $10 and set up a table to sell their goods. In the Carriage House, watch the operation of an antique printing press throughout the day. And in the Gazebo, enjoy free birthday cake in honor of Gov. Fred Warner’s 146th birthday.

Noon-2 p.m. July 17 — For the first time, a fundraising brunch will be offered on the mansion's beautiful grounds, hosted and sponsored by the Farmington Historical Society and catered by Grand Celebrations of Farmington. Meet your friends, family and neighbors there and help raise funds for much-needed repairs to the home of Michigan's only three-term governor, Fred Warner.

Tickets cost $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Tickets for children 6-12 are half-price, and admission is free for children younger than 6. You may purchase advance tickets at the mansion, Farmington City Hall and the office on Grand River in Farmington. To learn more, contact Brian Golden, 248-701-8112.

Tours of the mansion will be offered all three days; a small donation is requested.