Horse Around this Weekend

Step right up! The ninth-annual “Day at the Farm” at the is gearing up to offer a delightful array of hands-on activities for families and children of all ages.

Saturday is a chance to experience the best parts of life on a farm.

There will be hayrides and ice cream making; horses, heifers, goats and chickens; and crafts and classes for the young and the young-at-heart. Organized classes will begin at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the event goes until 4. You can bring a picnic or buy a pork rib dinner at the event.

A tractor rodeo will let experienced farmers show off their finesse at maneuvering heavy farm machinery. It will also be “a chance for someone who’s never been on a tractor to give it a try as well,” explained event organizer Lynne Grossi.

With a rich history of farming families that often go back several generations in Watsonville and Santa Cruz County, the “Day at the Farm” is a way to celebrate the achievements of the region and connect with its tradition and innovation.

But the highlight should be the Clydesdale horses. This will be the first time that guests of the event will have a chance to drive one or a team of this legendary breed, alongside a professional teamster.

Located at the Agricultural History Project’s site at the entrance to the , this free event is part of the AHP’s “Preserving the past—building the future” theme for 2011, and will feature antique farm equipment alongside today’s modern tractors. There will even be a toy tractor to pull little ones younger than 10 years old.

“There will be a lot of family fun with hands-on activities for children and adults,” said Grossi. These include age-appropriate classes scheduled throughout the day.

The Agricultural History Project was founded 25 years ago with the mission “to preserve and promote the history of agriculture on the Central Coast.” To celebrate the anniversary, the AHP will throw monthly public celebrations and events, including this one.