Farm Fest

The Annual Farm Fest at Hilltop Farm

This event holds a special place in the hearts of local residents and visitors from across the region. This family–oriented event, traditionally held on Labor Day, served as a vibrant celebration of the area's rich agricultural heritage and the ongoing efforts to preserve a historic local landmark. While the event is currently on hiatus, its legacy as a day of fun, education, and community gathering remains strong.

Connecting People to the Land

The core mission of the Farm Fest, organized by the non-profit Friends of the Farm at Hilltop (FOFAH), was to teach people about agricultural life and conservation—past, present, and future. In a world increasingly disconnected from food sources, the festival provided a crucial bridge, offering hands-on experiences that were both educational and entertaining. The vision of FOFAH, an all-volunteer organization formed in 2002 to save the historic dairy barn from demolition, is to restore the site and establish it as a valuable resource and learning facility for all ages.

Over a dozen Farm Fest weekends were sponsored by FOFAH, each drawing over a thousand people to the picturesque farmstead. The event embodied the organization's goal of "preserving, protecting and enjoying Hilltop Farm as a learning facility".

A Day of Family Fun and Hands-On Learning

The festival transformed the grounds below the magnificent 18,700-square-foot Colonial Revival "Big White Barn" into a hub of activity. Every year, FOFAH volunteers worked tirelessly to coordinate exhibitors, musicians, and displays that showcased the region's diverse agriculture.

Families attending the event could immerse themselves in a variety of engaging activities:

• Children's Barnyard:
  A popular area where children could engage in simulated farm chores. Activities included using a "milking" station to try their hand at milking a cow, shucking corn, harvesting potatoes, and even hanging up laundry.

• Animal Interactions:
  Live farm animals were a key draw, offering opportunities for interaction, along with perennial favorites like pony rides.

• The Tractor Parade:
  A festive parade of tractors would make its way through the farm, delighting young and old alike and adding a genuine rural touch to the event.

• Educational Demonstrations:
  The festival featured a range of educational exhibits, such as "Wingmasters" birds of prey shows and "Adam the Amphibian Man," teaching attendees about local wildlife and nature conservation. Beekeeping displays were also often included.

• Old-Fashioned Contests:
  Adding a touch of nostalgic fun, attendees could participate in activities like cow chip bingo (a raffle with a cash prize) and the entertaining skillet tossing contest.

• Games and Exploration:
  From finding "needles in a haystack" to playing in an oversized sandbox, there was no shortage of simple, engaging fun.