Early settlers in Alabama were similar to most frontiersmen and pioneer families in the late 1700s. They did what they had to do to survive.

They carved out a living with what they could find, make or build. From log cabins to homemade soap, these settlers were the first generation of adventurers to establish a way of life in Alabama.

Because of those brave souls, the state celebrates their spirit with the annual Alabama Outdoor Heritage Day at the Wehle Land Conservation Center in Midway, Bullock County.

The center, which is located about 100 miles east of Selma, will be having its sixth annual observance from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 3 under the guidance of the State Lands Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The center will be filled with presentations and demonstrations of Alabama settlers’ lives.

Log cabins will have period furnishings. Fiddles and hammer dulcimers will be played while re-enactors show finger weaving, powder horn making, flint and steel fire, clothes washing and leather work.

Draft horses will put on a logging demonstration, and cane juice will be available at the cane mill on the way to the blacksmith shop. Kettle corn and barbeque will be provided during the quilting and homemade soap making demonstrations.

Then a relaxing open-woods trail ride ends the day. Admission is free to all.

The Wehle Land Conservation Center features over six miles of horseback riding trails, three fishing ponds, boating, canoeing, and wildlife observation.

For this special Saturday, the history of Alabama comes alive to show how the state grew up. And why we should be proud of those pioneers.

For more information about the Outdoor Heritage Day, call 1-800-LAND-ALA.