Thousands flock to baby animal farm in Canfield

CANFIELD – Ever since Easter, 2-year-old Taylor Byers has been looking high and low for a bunny.

She even checks under the bed, hoping she’ll find one there, said her mother Jennifer Byers of Girard.

The youngster had no trouble finding several bunnies – along with pigs, ducklings, sheep, cows and goats - on Sunday at MetroParks Farm along state Route 46 across from the fairgrounds.

The farm, part of Mill Creek MetroParks, hosted the 16th annual farm animal Baby Shower, which drew families who waited in lines to pet the animals and take pictures.

Taylor, along with brother Troy Stack Byers, climbed atop a stack of hay to get a closer look at a three-day-old dairy calf.

Jennifer Byers and her husband Tom said they couldn’t pass up the event because they knew how much the children would enjoy it.

“It was a surprise for them because they love animals so much,” she said.

And even though she had her eye out for bunnies, when asked what her favorite animal is, Taylor simply replied, “moo.”

Brenda Markley, the farm’s agricultural facilities manager, said she expected nearly 5,000 people to attend the event, with most years averaging between 3,000 and 3,200 people, depending on weather.

Parents took pictures of their kids on tractors, enjoyed cake and punch and were able to help name three sets of baby goats born just this week.