Lake Metroparks Farmpark holding fall harvest events

Five weekends continue through Oct. 17

This fall, Lake Metroparks Farmpark continues the tradition of celebrating the harvest season with five weekends of fall harvest events, Saturdays and Sundays beginning Sept. 18 and continuing through Oct. 17.

Each weekend will have a different focus on some aspects of farming and harvest along with Farmpark’s regularly scheduled activities and demonstrations, according to a news release. All of these weekends feature farm animals and harvest activities, according to a news release.

The Metroparks’ inaugural Sunflower Weekend will take place Sept. 18 and 19. Learn about all varieties of sunflowers and how they are used. There will also be music by Mitch Larson on that Saturday and East Wind on that Sunday.

Sept. 25 and 26, everything from animal-powered agriculture to thunderous muscle cars of yesteryear will be part of Horsepower Weekend, the release stated.

That Saturday will focus on agricultural fieldwork as attendees can watch the progression of agricultural technology all in one field. Draft animal power to modern cabbed tractors will demonstrate a wide variety of implements. Visitors to the park will have the opportunity to try their hands at plowing behind one of Farmpark’s draft teams.

Then, that Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m., there will be Farmpark’s second annual Car and Truck Show, weather permitting.

On both days, visitors can enjoy antique tractor displays, equipment demonstrations such as corn grinding with a tractor and Farmpark’s regular weekend presentations. Oct. 2 and 3 is the annual Apple Butter and Cider Weekend. Attendees can discover how apple butter and cider are made and witness many traditional harvest activities. They can also take a tour of the “Johnny Appleseed Trail.”

Finally, Corn & Pumpkin Weekends will take place Oct. 9, 10 and 16 and 17.

Attendees can help husk, shell and grind the corn and plow behind draft horses. Young visitors can make handmade corn husk dolls and paint pumpkins. People also can enjoy harvest-themed crafts and other harvest activities throughout the weekends, the release stated.

All fall harvest activities are included with regular Farmpark admission ($6 to $8). Children under 2 and Farmpark members enter free. For more information visit the Metroparks’ website.

Farmpark is located at 8800 Euclid Chardon Road in Kirtland.

The Metroparks’ inaugural Sunflower Weekend will take place Sept. 18 and 19. Learn about all varieties of sunflowers and how they are used.

NEWS-HERALD FILE Visitors to the park will have the opportunity to try their hands at plowing behind one of Farmpark’s draft teams.