OLD BAKER FARM FALL FESTIVAL HAPPENS EVERY OCTOBER
There’s something really special happening every October in Harpersville, Alabama at Old Baker Farm’s Fall Festival.
Each year the farm opens its gates and welcomes the local community to join in its adventures for a whole month of special activities. If you love old farms, fall and historical information; this might just be the place for you.
Of course it would also be a place for those who enjoy tasting great fall foods, shopping for and talking to skilled craftsmen and participating in fun outdoor activities within a farm setting.
Also; if you are looking for a pumpkin for your front porch; this is the best place of all to find just the right one. The experience of finding the pumpkin is amazing in itself.
WONDERFUL FALL EVENTS
School kids get week-day mornings at the farm all to themselves (except for their teachers); so unless you are traveling as an invited guest with a school group, you would do well to go see Old Baker Farm on a Saturday or a Sunday afternoon when everything opens up to the general public.
It is worth the wait. You really do not want to miss this fun!
There is no better way to enjoy an outdoor fall adventure.
Looking for some pretty sunflowers for your table?
Aren’t these lovely?
THE BEAUTY OF THE LANDSCAPE WILL REFRESH YOU
The natural beauty of the landscape, the produce and the colorful wares in their booths will capture your artistic heart. Norman Rockwell move over; there are some paintings to be found in these here hills. This is just the type of place Vincent Van Gogh might have frequented for ideas; had he been from America.
The festival is for all ages, and the grown-up kids have an especially good time here.
You will enter from the parking lot which usually winds you through an amazing collection of old antique tractors, each one unique in its own way; and each one with a historical story from the owner.
TRACTOR PARADE
It is traditional to hold a tractor parade each year. Want to enter your tractor? Give them a call. The number is listed at the bottom of this post.
SKILLED CRAFTERS
Soon after viewing the tractors, you will find yourself stepping into an outdoor marketplace splashed with vivid colors, delicious smells, interesting personalities and unique surprises around every corner.
The vendors are all very friendly. They love to chat, and they all have a story to tell.
There are lots of booths with authentically dressed exhibitors selling their original works of art and cooking up wonderful homemade food.
You can watch the blacksmith work in his trade, or see how brooms are made by hand, or experience the weaving of a basket, or watch the making of homemade soap.
Vendors and exhibitors come from all over the south each year for this event.
You’re bound to do some shopping here.
There is something for everyone on your list.
THE AMAZING CORN MAZE
If you get tired of shopping; you can take a walk through the corn maze.
Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones who eventually arrives safely on the other side. Good luck!
COTTON PICKING
You might want to join the crowd picking cotton.
There is a story to tell here at this large cotton patch by the owner of the farm. It is a southern tradition and the cotton fields are so pretty!
You can take some of what you pick home with you.
BLUEGRASS MUSIC IN THE BARNYARD
If you get tired, just sit down in front of the old barn
and hear some good ole bluegrass music while you’re resting.
You might hear a little gospel too.
Fiddlers and banjo pickers are everywhere, both young and old.
There might be a little dancing in the streets.
And nobody cares if you just want to sit down and play in the dirt; even if you ARE wearing a white dress…..
A NICE LONG HAY RIDE WHERE YOU WILL PICK A PUMPKIN
Please don’t miss the hay ride! That is how you get to choose the best pumpkin.
You will get a detailed tour of the farm, as you make your stop at the pumpkin patch to pick out just the right pumpkin for your own front porch. Don’t worry. There is plenty of time to pick the right one. Yes; you are allowed to change your mind and swap for another one in the field that you didn’t spy until late. There are so many colors, shapes and sizes. If you love a certain type of pumpkin; you will probably find it living here.
TRAIL RIDES AND PONIES
There are trail rides if you are a horseman, and if you want you can help your child to a guided pony ride.
Of course; if you want something very tame which you can totally predict, you might try a little pony swing. They are fun too!
THE INDIAN VILLAGE
Be sure to visit the Indian Village. Their stories are authentic and they have a lot to tell you about their fascinating people’s history.
There is a lot to learn here.
You might call this farm a living history lesson.
Watch the tribe perform their native dances and hear their native stories explaining what they mean.
CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT
There is a very realistic Civil War reenactment happening at this farm. Be careful you don’t get caught in the middle of a dangerous battle.
Walk through the camp and learn the military drills.
Experience the stories of the flags and learn the history of the south.
YOU CAN PET THE ANIMALS
There are livestock in all the pens and plenty of them want to be petted by the children passing by.
We spied chickens, bunnies, turtles, lambs, goats, cows, horses and pigs, and pretty much any other animals you can think of. A new baby calf was being welcomed into the barnyard when we were visiting.
If you look hard enough you might just see Charlotte’s web hanging somewhere on the property. I would probably start looking at Wilbur’s pen. That’s the pig; you know? No promises though; Charlotte keeps a low profile.
TASTY TREATS
Should you work up an appetite, there are tasty treats around every corner. No one leaves here hungry. I’m afraid you might gain a few pounds. Don’t worry though; you can always walk it off. That is one of the nice things about the time here; being outside in the crisp fall day and experiencing lots of sunshine and exercise as you go.
PICK THE THEME FOR THE WEEKEND YOU WANT TO VISIT
All the weekends at the farm during the month of October have different themes.
During the Cowboy Weekends you can come dressed as a cowboy and just blend into the landscape that will be filled with professional gun-slingers and shoot-outs in the street. Please be careful!
You’re very likely to meet some famous outlaws in this crowd.
Western music abounds on these days, and Hay Mountain becomes a very busy place.
There is another celebration on the last full weekend of the month called the Cotton-picking Celebration. This celebration involves Living History Days where you can meet living historians who will tell you their tales of The Civil War.
You can participate in the infantry marching drills, or meet the cavalry, or learn how to make soap.
You will have a realistic glimpse into what a soldier’s life was really like during the days of the civil war.
A WHOLE LOT OF GOOD OLD-FASHIONED DOWN-HOME FUN
Otherwise; there is simply a whole lot of good old-fashioned down-home fun for the whole family to enjoy together.
I never miss Baker’s Farm’s Fall Festival.
I hope to see you there!
1041 Farmingdale Road, Harpersville, AL 35078
205-672-7209
Here is a good link to their website with all the up-to-date information: https://oldbakerfarm.com/pages/upcoming-events
Have fun!!!!!!
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