ROCKFORD — The registration deadline nears for the Remember Rockford Families Reunion to be held over Labor Day weekend by the Rockford Preservation Society.

The society is requesting that people register for the reunion by Aug. 15. Those who register will be able to take part in a meal on Friday night and a Saturday meal at lunch. Those who cannot attend the entire reunion can contact the president of the society to register for one of the meals.

The reunion will take place from Sept. 3-5. Hannah Holyfield, president of the preservation society, expects to have close to 100 people register for the reunion.

“It’s going really well,” said Holyfield.

The society originally hoped to have 150 to 200 people register. Holyfield realizes that many people will be taking vacations on Labor Day weekend, which could have affected the numbers, but she is still pleased with the response so far.

“We’re really encouraged,” said Holyfield. “We’re excited for the reunion.”

Organizers hope the reunion will bring together many descendants of Rockford’s families, but people without connections to the town are free to attend as well. Although people must pay the registration fee if they want to attend the special meals, all other reunion events are free to the public.

The reunion will begin on Friday night with an outdoor dinner and program at the Rockford Inn Bed and Breakfast for those who register.

A day of heritage events will begin on the Saturday of the reunion in historic Rockford around 10 a.m. Activities at Rockford Park will include a quilting display, book signing, old-fashioned lawn games, children’s coloring contest with prizes, bluegrass music, and heritage craft exhibits. Some of these activities may wrap up around 2 p.m. Local genealogists will be stationed at Rockford Methodist Church to help reunion participants trace their families’ ties to Rockford. A picnic lunch will be held for those who register. In the afternoon, several speakers will lecture at Rockford Methodist Church, then shuttle buses will take reunion participants to local attractions such as Rag Apple Lassie Vineyards and Stony Knoll Vineyards from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Two military encampments will set up in Rockford on that Saturday as well. An encampment of the Revolutionary War period will set up at Rockford Park, and a Civil War-period encampment will set up on the lawn of the York Tavern. The York Tavern is part of the North Carolina Civil War Trail.

W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company will sponsor a knife swap and whittling contest at the reunion on Saturday also. Nationally recognized caricature woodcarver Mitchell Cartledge and other members of the Catawba Valley Woodcarvers Club will demonstrate and teach whittling and woodcarving from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. that Saturday, and participants can swap knives. They will also judge a whittling contest. The winner will receive a Case knife.

“I remember as a teenager going into Pilot Mountain on Saturday afternoons and seeing the men behind the barber shop swapping knives and sharing local news,” said Jack Norman, Rockford Preservation Society board member.

“We’re really excited about all the activities,” Holyfield remarked.

The reunion will conclude on Sunday with a church service at 11 a.m. held at the restored Rockford Methodist Church, circa 1914. The church is now only used for special events. The Rev. Paul Norman will speak at the service, which Holyfield said will be a “traditional Methodist service.” The church service will be followed with a service of remembrance at the community cemetery.

The purpose of the reunion is to celebrate the history of the village of Rockford and the heritage of the village’s families. In addition to the Rockford Preservation Society, the reunion is being sponsored by Wishon & Carter Builders and G & B Energy.

“It’s going to be a great weekend,” said Holyfield.

To register for the reunion online by Aug. 15, visit www.rememberrockford.com. To register by mail or for more information, contact Hannah Holyfield at 374-3825 or hannah@rockfordinnbedandbreakfast.com.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.