NILES, Mich., Sept. 19, 2005 "An old-fashioned" Fall Festival & Craft Sale, complete with fresh fall produce, hand made craft items, a Sloppy Joe lunch, and more, is set for Saturday, October 15 at the Pokagon United Methodist Church (PUMC) in Pokagon, Mich.

The public is invited to attend, shop, eat and enjoy this 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. event. Activities will begin with breakfast breads and coffee in the early hours, followed by the lunch menu, complete with homemade desserts, cider and other treats. Bring your dull scissors and ice fishing augers for sharpening.

Apples for sale at the event will be courtesy of Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm, in Eau Claire.

Proceeds from the event will support restoration of The Original Old Rugged Cross Church and maintenance of The Old Rugged Cross Memorial Garden, located across the street from the PUMC.

Also available, the book, Favorite Songs of the Good Old Days, which includes a chapter on the hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross" and its Pokagon connection, and The Old Rugged Cross Historic Site's colorful 2006 wall calendar. The book, published by House of White Birches in Berne, Ind., includes information about more than 55 songs that the publishers said, "helped us become who we are today."

Other Old Rugged Cross gift items also will be available, just in time for holiday giving.

The Old Rugged Cross Church is where the hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross" was sung publicly in its entirety for the first time after its composer completed it, in 1913. The church is a Registered Michigan Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours of the historic church will be available. People attending the event will be welcome to stroll through the adjacent Old Rugged Cross Memorial Garden.

The Old Rugged Cross Historic Site is one block south of Pokagon Highway, just east of Highway M-51 in Pokagon. Pokagon is located half way between Niles and Dowagiac.

For information about the Fall Festival & Craft Sale, call 269-683-4540 or 269-782-8133. Information about the Old Rugged Cross Historic Site is available on the Internet at