HALIFAX — Fifth grade Weldon Middle School student Francisco Solano said he felt like he went back in time Friday while he was at the 18th annual Halifax Harvest Days.

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“It has been so good to be around all of the historical stuff,” Solano said.

The two-day event is a celebration of the county’s agricultural heritage at the 4-H Rural Life Center. Friday, students from area school systems had a special chance to see various educational exhibits and demonstrations.

Kevin Arrington, a classmate of Solano, said he enjoyed watching the demonstrations at the antique sawmill. “It’s good to see how things were done,” he said. “It’s been a good experience.”

Joquel Silver, another classmate of Solano, said she liked seeing the demonstration at the sawmill. Solano said it was nice to have a little time away from the classroom. “But we are still learning about history,” he said.

Arrington added next week the students would write about what they learned Friday for their language arts class.

Their teacher Susan Middlebrooks said watching her students play with some of the children’s games of the past and seeing the sawmill demonstration meant they experienced things they normally don’t get to do.

“The exhibits have been good. It is well set up,” Middlebrooks said about the event.

Joseph Whitby of Roanoke Rapids set up an exhibit of Native American, Colonial and Civil War artifacts for the past five or six years at Halifax Harvest Days.

He said he likes doing it so the students come and have a chance to touch some of the artifacts. “They enjoy themselves,” he said. “I enjoy talking to them and helping them learn.”

Terry Waters, a fourth grade Hobgood Academy teacher, said the exhibit was very informative. “It gives the children a good picture of what Native American weapons and colonial life was like,” Waters said. “We’re studying early Native American life in North Carolina so it always helps to see something concrete.”

She added she likes how the agricultural aspect is the focus, so students can see what farmers use to do compared to what is done today.

Katrinka Newman, a fourth grade teacher at Miriam Boyd Elementary in Warrenton, said students study North Carolina history in the fourth grade and really enjoyed the event.

“This makes North Carolina history come to life for them,” she said. “It is an opportunity for them to see many things they wouldn’t ordinarily see.”

Jakyria Mills said she was happy she got a chance to pet Lola, a Coscoroba swan from South America, at an exhibit set up by Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park.

“It was soft and really cute,” said Mills, a fifth grader at Manning Elementary School.

Emily Brown, a junior at Roanoke Rapids High School, also had a chance to pet Lola. She said Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park is a “pretty interesting place.”

Dan Louk, education coordinator at the waterfowl park, said quite a few groups of students had come by their exhibit.

“I think it’s a good way to give kids an opportunity to see what we have to offer at the park,” he said. “And it gives them an opportunity to interact with the birds we bring to the event.”