DETROIT: Once farmland and home to a multitude of animals and orchards, Palmer Park is not a stranger to the celebration of the harvest.
On Sunday, September 22 from 2 – 5 pm, on the Fall Equinox, People for Palmer Park presents a free Harvest Festival with hayrides through the historic woods; apple tasting and applesauce-making demos; corn roasting; petting zoo and presentations by Farmer John and the Barnyard Express; interactive children’s music with Motor City Music Together; arts and crafts; and much more. This will be a fun opportunity for all ages to learn about how our food is grown, the lives of farm animals, and nature in the park.
The event takes place by the new Splash Park, on Merrill Plaisance near Pontchartrain, between McNichols and Seven Mile Roads, west of Woodward Avenue. Parking in available at the Splash Park parking lot.
The Barnyard Express is a mobile educational farm center. Farmer John, an experienced educator and farmer, brings an array of his animals, including a goat, horse, sheep, pig, and calf. He will introduce each animal, milk the goat, and describe their care and fascinating characteristics. In between shows, visitors can pet the animals.
Special harvest treats will be on hand for tasting, including the five varieties of apples that grow in the park. Corn will be roasted, and cider and donuts, as well has homemade applesauce will be available. A special squash display will demonstrate the wide variety of pumpkins and squash that grow in Michigan and how they look inside and out!
Explore the woods, either on the hayride or by walking on the special guided path to view ancient and intriguing trees and plants, who have their home in Palmer Park.
Leah Celebi, violist and leader of Motor City Music Together will have instruments and songs to make wonderful, festive music and movement experiences with families.
We hope to have a dairy cow at the festival, so children can try their hand at milking this magnificent animal. But even if Elsie can’t attend, there will be much to explore, experience and celebrate.
What: Harvest Festival with Petting Zoo and Hayride through the woods
When: Sunday, September 22, 2013, from 2 – 5 pm
Where: Palmer Park, by the Splash Park parking lot, Merrill Plaisance, west of Woodward between 6 & 7 Mile Roads, Detroit
Why: To celebrate and appreciate Palmer Park and the Fall Equinox and harvest
Who: People of all ages, especially children!
How much: Free
What else: Find out more information at peopleforpalmerpark.org
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