Celebrate North Carolina’s farming history and culture at Duke Homestead during the Harvest and Hornworm Festival, Saturday, Aug. 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn about farming tobacco, see Durham’s last tobacco auction, and a documentary film about the loss of a tobacco warehouse. The festival atmosphere of the free family program with music and games will offer lots of fun.

Join costumed interpreters as they harvest, loop and cure tobacco in the historic area. Get hands-on with history during the looping contest. See Washington Duke’s tobacco factory come to life and learn more of the Duke family story.

Seasoned veteran auctioneers will present the last tobacco auction in Durham, representing an industry that once was the lifeblood of the city.

The award-winning documentary, “The Rise and Fall of Liberty,” examines the ebb and flow of Durham’s Liberty Tobacco Warehouse, and will be screened twice. The film explores the warehouse’s 80-year lifespan, draws parallels with the evolution of downtown Durham, and reveals the often touching interdependent relationship of the two. “The Rise and Fall of Liberty” won Documentary Feature Best Overall at the 2017 Longleaf Film Festival. Screenings will be at 10 a.m. and noon.

Harvest and Hornworm will feature live music provided by the Coins, arts and crafts vendors, crafts and games for kids and delicious barbecue. Afternoon mule rides will give visitors a new perspective of the historic property.

The competition gets tough in the high stakes hornworm race. Children can pick a hornworm to enter and watch as they go head to head to see which worm will be victorious. You’ll want to browse and buy from talented local arts and crafts vendors and grab a bite to eat. Save room for dessert with the Moon Pie eating contest that afternoon! The classic Southern treat turns competitive as kids and adults vie for a taste of Moon Pie glory.

For program information contact (919) 477-5498 or visit DukeHomestead.org. Duke Homestead is located at 2828 Duke Homestead Rd., Durham, and part of the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.