In keeping with Norlands’ mission as a living history center, guests are encouraged, but not required, to dress in 19th-century period attire.

The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in Livermore will host a 19th-century New England-style gathering under an October full moon with their Full Moon Fling on Saturday, October 15. The event will celebrate and support the rebuilding of Norlands’ barn, which was lost in a disastrous fire in 2008 but is now in process of being rebuilt.

This rare evening event will feature a barn dance with live music, seasonal food prepared by an expert chef, a comedy improv show, raffles, and the beauty of Norlands at night. In the spirit of Norlands’ mission as a living history center, guests are encouraged, but not required, to dress in 19th-century period attire.

The evening will begin in the meetinghouse at 6 p.m. with a show by Teachers’ Lounge Mafia, a local improvisational comedy group whose members are teachers in local school districts. The group performs interactive games similar to those popularized on television’s “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?,” along with original skits in the tradition of Second City, the Groundlings, Upright Citizens Brigade, and Improv Olympic. No two of their shows are exactly alike.

At 7:30 p.m., Norlands’ first barn dance since the 2008 fire will feature live music by the Racket Factory in the center’s not-quite-finished but charming new barn. Based in western Maine, the Racket Factory has decades of experience playing traditional acoustic music for dancing and listening pleasure. Kenlyn Clark will be the caller for the dance.

Refreshments will include hot chocolate, coffee, and pumpkin marshmallow S’mores made with a variety of cookies (such as maple cookies made with Norlands’ own syrup) baked by Chef Saveypen Sangsevang (Chef Sav), Sous Chef of the successful new Norway Brewing Company in Norway Maine. Chef Sav is a 2008 graduate of the Culinary Institute of Virginia and combines creativity and great flavor in all of his food.

Many artisans and vendors have made generous donations, including gorgeous local pottery, fragrant handmade soaps, crisp fresh apples, scrumptious homemade chocolates, and a beautifully designed planter that will be raffled off during the evening. Raffle tickets are $1 each, six for $5, or fifteen for $10. You need not be present to win.

Tickets for the Full Moon Fling are $15 for both the comedy show and dance. Tickets for the dance or comedy show only are $10. Kids ages 12 and under will be admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at norlands.org/events.

Norlands is located at 290 Norlands Road in Livermore. For more information, call 897-4366, email norlands@norlands.org, or see www.norlands.org.