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Sun sets on summer at MetroParks Farm
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Attendees of Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s Sunset at the Farm took a horse-drawn hayride around the farm.
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Children 4-6 participated in the needle in the haystack event at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s Sunset at the Farm. The children were looking for toys and candy in the hay, but had their eyes on the top prize of a $2 bill.
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A demonstration was held on how to make apple butter by hand at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s Sunset at the Farm Sept. 18.
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People attending Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s Sunset at the Farm enjoyed roasting marshmallows over an open campfire.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Mill Creek MetroParks Farm said goodbye to summer with its annual Sunset at the Farm Sept. 18. The event was held to celebrate the harvest and the end of the summer season.
Many activities were planned for the evening, such as old-fashioned games, including a sack race for children 7 and up and an egg toss for adults, hayrides pulled by horses from the Ohio Valley Draft Horse Association, a campfire, singing, face painting and a cornfield maze.
The needle in the haystack hunt was held by the campfire for children 4-6 to search through hay to find candy and toys and the top prize of a $2 bill.
Carol Vigorito, a naturalist at the Ford Nature Center, was this year’s coordinator of Sunset at the Farm.
“This evening is a chance to celebrate everything farm, as well as the end of the summer season and the harvest. On average, we get about 1,200 people attending Sunset at the Farm. After this, it is time for us to focus on our variety of fall programs,” Vigorito said.
Folk singer Jon Mosey entertained attendees as they roasted marshmallows by the campfires and enjoyed a taste of apple cider — all compliments of Mill Creek MetroParks Farm.
Demonstrations of grindin’ grain, cardin’ wool and makin’ apple butter were also set up around the grounds of the farm. The farm’s animal barns were open for exploration and exhibits, games and a real tractor were set up in the AgVenture Barn.
Approximately 40 volunteers, including adults and youth from the Canfield Junior Fair Board, 4-H and Farm Bureau Youth, helped in every aspect of the event. They supervised the hayrides, handed out marshmallows and cider and kept the campfires roaring.
Railroad displays from Riverside Railroad and the Western Reserve Modular Railway clubs were set up in McMahon Hall for kids of all ages to enjoy.
According to Tom Bresko, interim executive director of Mill Creek MetroParks, Sunset at the Farm has been held for about the past 25 years.