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This weekend's Halifax Harvest Days mark two milestones.

One is the official designation of the Allen Grove Rosenwald School receiving its National Register of Historic Places designation while the other is the dedication of the new recreational facilities on the grounds of the 4-H Rural Life Center off Highway 903 outside Halifax where the annual event is held.

Both ceremonies will be held Saturday with the Allen Grove recognition at 1 p.m. and the recreational facilities dedication at 12:30 p.m.

Rosenwald school

The Rosenwald school is one of 46 schools built in Halifax County.

Rosenwald Schools are named after Julius Rosenwald, president of Sears and Roebuck, who established a fund that eventually helped build more than 5,000 schools in the rural south for African-American children.

He worked with Booker T. Washington, founder and president of the Tuskegee Institute, to develop a plan for the schools.

Scott Power, regional supervisor of the Eastern Office of the State Historic Preservation Office, will speak about the National Register of Historic Places designation.

According to Claudia Brown, also with the State Historic Preservation Office, placement on the National Register, is "primarily an honor. It is the official roster of properties that are important to our past and are worthy of preservation."

The Allen Grove school, built in 1921, was selected for consideration in part because "it is remarkably intact," she added.

In addition, a tribute to Cary Pittman, builder of the Allen Grove School, and several other Rosenwald Schools in Halifax County and the nearby region will also be given. Several descendants of Pittman will be in attendance.

Any former student of the Allen Grove School or any other Rosenwald school will be recognized during the program.

Recreation facilities

Construction of the new recreational facilities was funded by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, the North Carolina Parks & Recreation Trust Fund, Dominion Energy and the North Carolina Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program.  

These new additions feature an 18-hole disc golf course, new playground equipment, a multi-use court including basketball, volleyball, pickleball and tennis.

It includes a pond for fishing and STEM environmental education.  

A new walking trail approximately 1-mile long interconnects these new components of the Rural Life Center.  

These recreational facilities provide new opportunities for 4-H participants, as well as for Halifax County citizens throughout the year.  

Harvest Days schedule  

On Friday Harvest Days targets fourth and fifth graders from city, county, charter and private schools of Halifax county.

Friday and Saturday events

Games for youth including cotton ginning, herding pigs and Sheep, practical hay baling and milking cows.

Livestock exhibits include chickens, piglets, goats, sheep, and cattle.

Fresh local honey for purchase and a demonstration beehive.

Interactive tennis demonstration sponsored by NC Health Department CATCH program.

Fossil display.

Horse-drawn carriage rides.

Meet new 4-H Youth Development Agent Jerry Edmonds.

Aunt Ruby's prized peanuts will be providing a variety of peanuts for Halifax 4-H youth to sell Saturday in support of 4-H youth experiential learning and activities.

Saturday events

The first 4-H Poultry Show will be at 11 a.m.

Live music including artists The Rusty Hubcaps, The Walls of Time, The Brake Tyme Band and Gabrielle Long & Carolina Switchgrass.

Homemade Brunswick stew for purchase provided by the Roanoke River Antique Tractor and Engine Club.

Gourd painting demonstration, gourd crafts and Native American jewelry for purchase.

Handcrafted decorative items for sale.

STEM aircraft exhibit and drone demonstrations.

Herbalist explaining the many uses of herbs and for purchase, handcrafted soap, hand and body lotion, specialty essential oils, medicinal and culinary herbs.

Victims' rights explained by the organization known as Marsy's Law.

The education birds of Sylvan Heights Bird Park.

Art and Photography Contest for youth and adults.

Harvest Days begin at 9 a.m.