Malabar Farm served as a hotspot for family fun this weekend as it hosted its annual Farm Fun Day Festival.
The line-up was filled with events tailored to the scenic location of Malabar Farm. Children enjoyed games like the lasso toss and sack races, along with the fishing derby.
Volunteer Sierra Marth facilitated some of the children’s games, which she helped organize during her internship at Malabar Farm over the summer.
In May, she began her internship and just completed her last day on Friday, August 2. During her time at the farm, she helped create press releases and fliers, managed some of the website content, gave tours to visitors, bred cattle, among other duties.
“I helped with a variety of things. There was always something going on everyday, which gave me a lot of freedom to do all sorts of things. I got to experience both the technical and hands-on side of working,” she stated.
Marth, a Clear Fork grad, will be entering into her senior year at The Ohio State University, where she is pursuing an Agricultural Communications degree.
After graduation she hopes to return to Malabar Farm. “I’d love to work here,” she said. It’s been a wonderful experience.”
Another feature of the festival was the corn hole tournament, which was coordinated by Holly Rippey and offered a $350 first place prize sponsored by the Lucas Lions Club.
Rippey coordinating, competing in, bringing her family along to enjoy the day’s festivities.
She said that she intended to attend the barn dance later on in the evening and hoped to be able to coax her husband into joining her.
People also gathered for the Picnic in the Park fundraiser, which was held in accordance with the festival. This segment featured a preview of the upcoming “Black Cyclone” play, a silent auction, live music, and a BBQ dinner.
The proceeds of the picnic will promote the preservation of Malabar Farm.
Special Events Coordinator with the Malabar Farm Foundation, Victoria Cochran, noted that the farm is undergoing a series of preservation projects, including building a retaining wall behind the Big House, putting in sidewalks, fixing drainage, replacing wood in the Big House, along with other things.
The Big House recently received some maintenance work when 16 layers of paint were removed.
The Foundation is hoping to compile a wish list of other preservation projects that need to be completed.
Malabar Farm Program Administrator, Sybil Burskey, commented about the annual festival and stated, “It’s a good time for celebrating children and giving them a chance to shine, whether with the games or the fishing derby, and parents can celebrate with them.”
