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Farm’s baby shower draws big crowd
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Gianna, left, of Poland, and her friend Rebekah, of Boardman, posed with Snowball the rabbit during the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s annual Baby Animal Shower April 7.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker .Allison and Josh Farley, of Canfield, checked out the John Deere tractor in between visiting the animals at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s annual Baby Animal Shower April 7.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker .Marquesz Lyons, of Youngstown, got a lift to be able to pet the Holstein calf which was born March 10 and was on loan from the Roger Miller family during the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s annual Baby Animal Shower April 7..
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Aiden Blevins, of Boardman, got up close and petted a baby duck at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s annual Baby Animal Shower April 7..
By ABBY SLANKER
Thousands of visitors took advantage of a warm, sunny day to get an up-close and personal look at the animals at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s annual Baby Animal Shower April 7.
Visitors made their way through the farm’s buildings to view and pet several baby animals, including chicks, ducks, geese, rabbits, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and a calf. A baby kangaroo also made an appearance.
According to Brenda Markley, agricultural facilities manager, the farm has been busy with births, and is expecting more babies throughout the spring.
“A lamb was born here at the farm on March 29, and for the last two weeks we have been hatching chicks. We still have two sheep which are due soon and we will have a couple more lambs as we get into April,” Markley said.
Mill Creek MetroParks staff, volunteers and members of the agricultural community were on hand to assist with the event. Several members of Mahoning County Jr. Fair Board were positioned at the animal stations to answer questions.
According to Markley, new this year was the feed the animals fund.
“This year, visitors can make a donation which will be used to continue the care of the animals here at the farm. Everyone who donates can write their name on a little feedbag which will then be posted on our Feed Fund bulletin board. People can donate today after they have enjoyed their visit and want to help. They can come back and see how the animals have grown up throughout the season,” Markley said.
Due to the nice weather, visitors enjoyed some outdoor activities.
“Because the sun is shining, we have a couple tractors sitting out for the children to check out and we also have giant hay bales they can climb on,” Markley said.
In response to the huge crowd, Mill Creek MetroParks received the cooperation of the Canfield Fairgrounds to use their parking areas for overflow parking.
The Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s gift shop was also open during the Baby Shower, offering several farm-related items and T-shirts.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper baby shower without cake and punch, which was provided by the farm to all visitors in McMahon Hall.