Colorful quilts gently sway in the breeze beneath a pavilion’s high-pitched roof. A horse neighs as it pulls a wagon filled with smiling folks.

Fragrant food smells waft from a nearby kitchen. Jewel-toned jars of homemade preserves, jams and jellies, and white oak baskets, hand-woven by generations of one family, are ready to be taken home as a souvenir.

There’s the ring of hammer against anvil, as men in overalls guide mule-drawn plows through fields. Children furiously pedal miniature tractors in a race as parents and grandparents cheer them on.

All these sights, sounds and scents are part and parcel of what is becoming a highly anticipated event in Butler County.

Old Time Farm Day returns to the county Saturday, October 25.

If you liked previous editions of the family-friendly event, you will love this year’s Farm Day, organizers say.

“We will be offering many of the same activities as in previous years, only it will be even bigger and better,” said Christy Turner, publicity chair for the OTFD Committee.

“We will have more animals, more arts and crafts, and we have some other new activities in the works,” Turner said.

Children’s favorites, like the pedal tractor race, boot race, face painting, cake and cupcake walks will return. Kids (and kids at heart) can also help grind corn in a working grist mill, saw logs with a cross-cut saw, try their hand at an old-fashioned wringer washer or steering one of those old-time iron plows.

Local artists and artisans will have their handiwork for sale. Vintage tractors and other farm equipment and tools will also be on display, while buggies, wagons, and carts pulled by horses and mules will take visitors on a trip around the site.

Displays of old-time farm ways such as a mule-driven cane mill, blacksmithing, mule plowing, hay bailing, butter churning, quilting, crocheting and more will offer young attendees a glimpse into the past and older visitors, a nostalgic experience.

All that fresh air and activity can cause folks to work up an appetite. Fear not: the OTFD volunteers will be on hand with hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, fries, chips, soft drinks and good ol’ sweet tea and coffee in their brand-new kitchen, currently being completed in time for this year’s event.

“We are going to have much more room with this new kitchen and we will have several windows to serve our guests. We hope to cut down on the long lines we’ve had in the past,” Turner said.

The entertainment lineup for OTFD 2008 will include Blu Braden and other local gospel performers, along with popular deejay (and OTFD organizer) Bill Campbell. Door prizes will also be given out throughout the day.

“Farm Day has grown some every year and we are really excited about this year’s event. Everyone has been working hard, and we want lots of people to come out and enjoy the day with us,” Turner said.

Old Time Farm Day is slated to run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for children; kids under six are admitted free.

Directions: Take Highway 10 West, go one mile and turn left on County Road 25 (Sandcutt Road). Go three miles. Farm day is on the left.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs (tables with chairs are available to enjoy lunch). No alcohol, coolers, four wheelers or golf carts, please.

For more info: Carey Thompson, 334-382-2295 or Eddie Branum, 334-382-3523.