Larry Ketola plays music at Alberta Fest Saturday. Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette

ALBERTA — People explored the grounds of Henry Ford’s historic village during Saturday’s Alberta Fest.

It’s the latest in a series of festivals over the years held at the grounds, including Tin Lizzie Days, which focused more on the history of Henry Ford’s pioneering automotive work. Ford built Alberta in 1936 with a sawmill capable of providing the lumber needed in his vehicles — and to cut the lumber needed to construct the buildings still on site. Those include residences and facilities now used by Michigan Technological University, which has owned the site since 1954 as the Ford Forestry Center.

“It’s a celebration of this little Henry Ford village in Alberta,” said Jim Tolan, manager of operations at the center. “Of course there’s the college aspect of it, the dorm where we are now, so it’s an MTU event. But it’s about the village coming together and our little neighborhood.”

The day included displays from vendors, live music, food, log-rolling competitions and a classic car show.

“It doesn’t take long to walk through,” Tolan said. “But we have a variety of things to see and do in the time you’re here.”

In keeping with the Ford heritage, Calvin Kostamo brought several Model Ts and Model As from the 1920s. He’s bought them for more than 25 years, finding owners locally.

He enjoys the old cars for their better styling and their durability.

“These, you can bump them out,” he said. “Those, you’ve got to replace panels because they’re so thin.”

He enjoys coming out to Alberta Fest.

“I like it,” he said. “It’s out in the country, too, it ain’t in the town. I’m a country boy.”

Saturday’s car show drew many onlookers, including Al and Jeanne Karkkainen of Dollar Bay.

They’ve also been out to Alberta before to tour the historic buildings, including the sawmill.

“There’s some continuity there with the old Ford cars,” Al said, noting that the old garages still on the site would likely be too narrow for modern cars. He’s been coming out to the site since the 1960s, when some of his mother’s friends lived there.

People also toured some of the 17 vendors on the grounds.

The Keweenaw Kreations booth had treats made by Kathleen Daley. Before opening the business, she had long baked as a hobby, formerly catering for doctors and staff when she worked as a nurse in Chicago.

Customers lined up for treats spanning caramel corn, cake pops and French almond croissants.

“We’ve been picking up more and more,” she said.

On a blustery Saturday, so had the wind.

“We’ve gone airborne a couple of times,” she said.

Woodworkers Jim and Elaine Leppala of Watton have been woodworking for close to 30 years. During COVID, Jim also began making metal sculptures of dogs, owls and other critters. Many of the newer pieces incorporate horseshoes he brought back after they visited their daughter in Texas.

Right before noon, there were plenty of people coming in to look, many of them walking away with a new purchase.

“This morning was really slow — I was wondering if we were going to make our spots here,” Jim said. “But it’s really picking up now.”

One of those taking a look was Peggy Noble of Klingville. Her grandson-in-law had a booth at the festival.

“I think this is really great,” she said. “The music is awesome as you wander through the different booths. There’s lots of different booths. I haven’t seen these (wares) at the other fairs or the other craft places.”