PHOTO GALLERY: A Caledonia Homecoming

Despite a few early morning raindrops, came home Saturday to and people learned a little about their heritage.

Michael Michna, president of the Caledonia Historical Society, said the group wanted to put on the event to teach people about history and about Caledonia's parks.

"We were really pleased with how things turned out," Michna said.

Jon Theissen, a blacksmith from North Prairie who makes everything from thumb shackles to chandeliers, hammered away at hot metal as people asked him questions about his trade. Chris Pike, of Grafton, dressed as a french fur trader. He talked about find his letters from the 1750s that his family had written. Arland Thompson, of Caledonia, and his friend, Deb Stone, set up camp as a Native American Indian.

The sound of musket blasts and the smell of chickens roasting over an open fire filled the air. Children and parents learned about the Civil War, buckskin hunter, the French fur trader, the mountain man, and the Native American Indian. They learned about American history and Caledonia's history. They learned about the work, the love, and their lives.