At MetroParks Farm, families can play

Kids can earn a 'Master of Bugology' degree at Bug Day on Aug. 6.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- There was bubble blowing, farm animals and their babies, swimming in corn kernels, free ice cream, a watermelon eating contest and a lot more.
And the best part, it was free, said Cherie Howard of Youngstown, who was spinning hula hoops with her 2-year-old son, Preston, at Saturday's Summertime Jubilee at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm.
Howard said she and Preston are frequent visitors to the MetroParks Farm.
"Preston really likes the animals," she said.
The 400-acre farm, on state Route 46 across from the Canfield Fairgrounds, is open to the public seven days a week: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays; and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Most of the farm is wooded, but there is still a lot to see, including an apple orchard, crop land, poultry and barnyard animals, and even several Texas longhorn cattle. The farm also has a paved bike trail, said Brenda Markley, the park's agriculture facilities manager.
Geared toward kids
The Summertime Jubilee is one of four annual special events at the MetroParks Farm, also known as the Mahoning County Farm, that are geared for children, Markley said.
Up next is Bug Day, from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6.
Kids will be invited to play "bug" games, race wax worms, hunt for bugs and view real bugs through microscopes. Participants can even earn a "Master of Bugology" degree, Markley said.
Sunset at the Farm, the third Saturday in September, is the last of this year's special children's programs. An evening event, participants can sit around a campfire and roast marshmallows and play games, Markley said.
Among Saturday's visitors were Bob and Sharon DiMaiolo of Youngstown, who brought their daughters, Ava, 3, and Gia, 1, to see the animals and take part in some of the activities.
Ray and Debbie Shijo, of Cleveland, said their daughter, Emily, 2, enjoyed blowing bubbles and angling for plastic fish. Emily was joined by her cousins, Jacob and Jessica Rauschenberg, and their grandparents, Gary and Debbie Rauschenberg of Boardman.
Slowing down
Ron Tarantino of Canfield was there with his grandsons, Ronnie, 8, and Daniel Tarantino, 13, who were visiting from Hebron, Ky.
"We were looking for something to do, and I saw this advertised in The Vindicator," said Ron Tarantino, a first-time visitor to the farm.
At first, the boys asked where the rides and video games were. But they ended up playing checkers and liking it, Tarantino said.
"I like the laid-back, easy-going atmosphere. It's like getting unplugged for a day ... a throwback to the old days," Tarantino said.
And if the free ice cream, served in recognition of National Ice Cream Month, wasn't enough, other snacks and beverages were for sale at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church concession stand. The church has worked events at the farm for several years, according to Dick Puerner, a church member.
alcorn@vindy.com