ARUNDEL — Saturday will be the seventh annual Arundel Heritage Day, and it’s a chance for community members to catch up while having some wholesome, clean fun.

Beginning around 10 a.m. at North Chapel Commons in Arundel, the event is hosted by the Arundel Historical Society and free to attend. This year, the organizers will be expanding a couple of the activities, like a women’s skillet toss and a men’s horseshoe pitch.

It’s a perfect opportunity for residents to learn some town history and spend time together, said Donna der Kinderen, the treasurer of the historical society.

“We all live together but you don’t get to speak to everybody,” she said. “You can take 10 to 15 minutes to sit down and speak to someone who you would otherwise just say good morning to while passing by. It’s a nice, relaxing day.”

During one of the previous years, der Kinderen said that some World War I artifacts were on display, showing Arundel residents the history of those who served in the war.

Each year, the historical society has a different theme for historic displays, which gives current or newer residents a perspective on what the town used to be like.

“We have two different types of people living here,” der Kinderen said. “A lot of people who have been here for generations and a group who have moved here recently. That group doesn’t know about the history of the town. We picked the brains of the people who have been here and ask what it used to be like and pile information and artifacts.

“We’re introducing the town to that newer group,” she said.

When the historical society held its first heritage day seven years ago, they did not expect it to become an annual event.

“We thought it was going to be a one-year deal, but people asked us if we were going to do it again,” der Kinderen said.

Each year, more and more people stop by the event, she said.

“We constantly have people come and thank us for doing this,” der Kinderen said. “We make it interesting. We would encourage people who have never been to this to stop in for an hour.”

Der Kinderen said that the historical society invites new local businesses to the event as a way to introduce them to the town.

“We encourage three groups: crafters, people who demonstrate a skill or have items,” she said. “We have a gentleman who shows how to make rope by hand. There’s some kid participation in that. We have another group who brings antique engines. We also have some agricultural displays, either with farm animals or farm equipment. The third category is local businesses and conversations.”

Another big attraction at the event is a Civil War Encampment, which der Kinderen said was a huge hit last year.

Participants are in uniform and period costumes, with marching drill demonstrations, and musket firing, Der Kinderen said.

For anyone still craving some nostalgia on the following day — Sunday, Sept. 15, there will be a vintage baseball game also hosted by the Arundel Historical Society at the same location.

“It has quite a lot of support,” der Kinderen said. “That does have an admission charge: $5 for adults, kids under 12 are $2 and anyone under 6 is free. It’s how baseball was played. There aren’t any lines or anything. It will be played by official teams who travel all over New England for these events.”

— Catherine Bart can be reached at cbart@mainelymediallc.com or 780-9029.