Fall Festival

Last weekend we hosted our CSA's fall festival here at our farm. While it took a ton of preparation on our part to get the place ready, it was well worth it because it was great fun. Besides, without the motivation to clean up we wouldn't be enjoying how neat and tidy everything is now.

In addition to providing the space for the festival, we also provided entertainment in several forms. Chris' dad Scott fired up his restored steam tractor and used the steam from the boiler to power his vertical engine, which was then used to grind the CSA's blue corn. Watching the engines run was a huge highlight for many of the attendees. We also gave hay rides and had some sheep feeding and chicken petting for the kids.

There were three live bands (solar powered!) and the CSA held a silent auction and bake sale. At the end of the day they had raised around a thousand dollars. We were so glad to be able to help.

Here is the section of field we prepared with people beginning to arrive.


Chris and the steam tractor.


Scott ran steam from the big tractor over to this little engine through pipes. The little engine is connected to the corn grinder with a belt.






The kids loved it.


Festival goers enjoying the music and sunshine.


I snapped this photo because I had never seen a tuba on the farm before and wasn't sure if I ever would again!


Scott had double duty that day because after he was done with the steam engines his band Holy Water and Whiskey played a set.


Scotty and Eliza shared their chickens with the other kids.




Hay rides.


Sheep feeding.