Farm day fun for families

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 4, 2020

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After a one-year hiatus, Old Time Farm Day returned last weekend to the OTFD site just off Sandcutt Road near Greenville.

On a picture-perfect autumn Saturday, visitors to Farm Day Hill enjoyed browsing vendors’ wares, checking out the assortment of vintage and antique farm and garden tools, appliances, kitchenalia and more on display in the site’s new barn. From Singer foot-operated sewing machines to mangle washers, and carved wooden water troughs to old hand plows, the new attraction offered something to spark interest or trigger memories in the day’s visitors.

The OTFD kitchen offered lunch and snacks under the big pavilion, with their chili proving a hit that really “hit the spot.”

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The petting zoo drew animal lovers of all ages, offering attendees the chance to get up close and personal with llamas, Scottish Highland cattle, goats, exotic chickens, rabbits and even a senior citizen tortoise, with an estimated age of 70 years.

Christy Bozeman and her three daughters enjoyed hot biscuits fresh from a wood stove in the site’s cabin, decorated and furnished as in days gone by with iron bedstead, patchwork quilts and more cozy touches.

“My girls had a great time. They loved getting to try out things like the corn sheller,” Bozeman said.

Hannah Reaves and her youngsters also had a fun time at Farm Day.

“Maisen Knox and Henry Ridge loved Old Time Farm Day. Milking the mama cow and feeding the baby calf was their absolute favorite,” Reaves said.

“They also enjoyed all the tractors, from new to old. As a family, we really enjoyed being able to get outside and do something fun together.”

Larecia Scruggs said her grandson Walker Scruggs had a blast at the event. “He loved the tractors, children’s games and loving on that calf,” Scruggs said.

Amy Piper calls OTFD a “great family fun event.”

“We look forward to it every year. I would love to see more people get involved as volunteers and more advertising done to help draw more people in,” Piper said.

“It’s a great local event for our county, but if there was more advertising and a full committee planning it, I think it could be so much bigger and better.”

Dale Gates agrees on both counts.

“Old Time Farm Day is a treasure for Butler County. But we have to get more people involved, or it will die,” Gates said. “We need to all give it our support.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for future Old Time Farm Days is encouraged to call (334) 382-2295. OTFD is held the last Saturday in October each year.