(Writing and photography by Sheila Gail Landgraf)
There's something special happening every October in Harpersville, Alabama at
Baker Farm's Fall Festival.
There's something special happening every October in Harpersville, Alabama at
Baker Farm's Fall Festival.
All through the month of October people are milling in and out of Baker's Farm and enjoying some wonderful Fall events.
School kids get the week day mornings at the farm all by themselves (except for their teachers); so unless you are with a school group, you would do well to go on Saturday or Sunday afternoons when everything opens up to the general public.
You really do not want to miss this!
There is no better way to enjoy an outdoor fall adventure.
The festival is for all ages. You will enter from the parking lot through an amazing collection of old antique tractors, each one unique in its own way, and each one with a historical story from the owner.
A tractor parade is held each year.
You will soon find yourself stepping into an outdoor market place of vivid colors, delicious smells and the unique surprises.
There are lots of booths with authentically dressed exhibitors selling their original works of art and wonderful homemade food.
You can watch the blacksmith work in his trade, or see how brooms are made by hand, or experience the weaving of a basket, or watch the making of homemade soap.
Vendors and exhibitors come from all over the south for this event.
You're bound to do some Christmas shopping here.
There is something for everyone on your list.
There are lots of booths with authentically dressed exhibitors selling their original works of art and wonderful homemade food.
You can watch the blacksmith work in his trade, or see how brooms are made by hand, or experience the weaving of a basket, or watch the making of homemade soap.
Vendors and exhibitors come from all over the south for this event.
You're bound to do some Christmas shopping here.
There is something for everyone on your list.
If you get tired of shopping you can take a walk through the corn maze.
Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones who arrives on the other side, eventually.
You might want to join the crowd picking cotton.
There is a story to tell here at this large cotton patch by the owner of the farm.
You can take what you pick home with you.
You might want to join the crowd picking cotton.
There is a story to tell here at this large cotton patch by the owner of the farm.
You can take what you pick home with you.
If you get tired, just sit down in front of the old barn
and hear some good ole bluegrass music.
You might hear a little gospel too.
Please don't miss the hayride!
You will get a detailed tour of the farm, plus you will make a stop at the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin for your own front porch.
There are trail rides if you are a horseman,
and if you want you can help your child to a guided pony ride.
and if you want you can help your child to a guided pony ride.
Be sure to visit the Indian Village.
There is a lot of history to learn here.
Watch them do their native dances and hear their stories.
There is a lot of history to learn here.
Watch them do their native dances and hear their stories.
There is a very realistic Civil War reenactment happening at this farm.
Walk through the camp and learn the military drills.
Experience the stories of the flags and learn the history of the south.
Walk through the camp and learn the military drills.
Experience the stories of the flags and learn the history of the south.
Fiddlers and banjo pickers are everywhere, both young and old.
There are livestock in the pens and plenty of them want to be petted by the children.
There are bunnies, turtles, lambs, goats, cows, horses and pigs, and pretty much any other animals you can think of. If you look hard enough you will see Charlotte's Web somewhere on the property.
There are bunnies, turtles, lambs, goats, cows, horses and pigs, and pretty much any other animals you can think of. If you look hard enough you will see Charlotte's Web somewhere on the property.
Should you work up an appetite, there are tasty treats around every corner.
You will not leave hungry, but you might gain a few pounds.
You will not leave hungry, but you might gain a few pounds.
Different weekends of the month have different themes.
During the Cowboy Weekends you can come dressed as a cowboy and just blend into the landscape that will be filled with gun slingers and shootouts in the street.
Your very likely to meet some famous outlaws in the crowd.
Western music abounds on these days,
and Hay Mountain becomes a busy place.
During the Cowboy Weekends you can come dressed as a cowboy and just blend into the landscape that will be filled with gun slingers and shootouts in the street.
Your very likely to meet some famous outlaws in the crowd.
Western music abounds on these days,
and Hay Mountain becomes a busy place.
Another weekend involves Living History Days where you can meet living historians who will tell you their tales of The Civil War.
You can participate in the infantry marching drills, or meet the cavalry,
or learn how to make soap.
You have a realistic glimpse into what a soldier's life was really like during these times.
You can participate in the infantry marching drills, or meet the cavalry,
or learn how to make soap.
You have a realistic glimpse into what a soldier's life was really like during these times.
This is simply a lot of old fashioned down home fun for the whole family.
I hope to see you there!
1041 Farmingdale Road, Harpersville, AL
205-672-7209
1041 Farmingdale Road, Harpersville, AL
205-672-7209