With the school year just beginning, children are rediscovering the joy of learning. It's always exciting to pick up fresh information and have new experiences. But the learning doesn't have to be limited to the classroom. The Benjamin Patterson Inn in Corning will offer a fun chance to learn about culture and heritage during the 31st annual Whingblinger September 10-11.

"The Whingblinger Heritage Festival is a chance to invite, engage, educate and entertain the public through various demonstrators and activities that allow the visitors to step back in time and experience firsthand how past generations went about their daily lives," said Doc Cavallaro, director of Benjamin Patterson Inn and the Corning-Painted Post Historical Society.

The Inn will come alive Saturday with demonstrations including blacksmithing, beer making, buck skinning, bee keeping, wood spinning, quilting, quilling, and butter making. Watch a hearth cooking demonstration, showing how people once made their meals every day. There will be plenty of entertainment throughout the day, including fiddlers, magicians, puppets and more. "There's something for everyone," said Doc, "and when all else fails, there will be plenty of food to load up on."

In addition to all those great learning opportunities for kids and parents alike, this year's Whingblinger will place a special emphasis on "fun for the whole family." Saturday will be filled with family activities including make-and-take crafts, old-fashioned games, live animals, and plenty of opportunities for hands-on demonstrations, Doc said. Find great deals at the country store and annual flea market. "Our ever-popular raffles will be sure to send home some lucky winners smiling," said Doc.

The second and last day of the Whingblinger will begin with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by a special non-denominational Civil War church service starting at 10 a.m. The service will be held in the one-room Browntown Schoolhouse, where students are still taught today as part of field trips.

Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for members, $1 for students, and free for ages 5 and under.

While visiting Benjamin Patterson Inn, make sure the see the Tavern or Tap Room where guests once socialized and conducted business. Check out the Wixon Road Log Cabin (circa 1855), that the Mack family built and inhabited in Campbell. Take a tour through the Starr Barn's agriculture exhibit, "The Unvarying Rhythm of the Farmer's Year," and discover the agricultural developments of communities along the upper Chemung River in the 1800s.

With all the demonstrations, hands-on activities, and great deals you'll find at the Whingblinger, you'll be sure to have a fun new learning experience.

To find out about more great events, visit www.CorningFingerLakes.com/events.