(Chelsea Update would like to thank Kevin Frahm for the information and courtesy photos in this story.)
The annual Pioneer Day at the Waterloo Farm Museum will take place on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The first Fall Festival was held at the Waterloo Farm Museum in 1962, and the museum had been in existence for a mere nine months. This gave birth to the beginning of an annual event, now referred to as Pioneer Day, that folks from all around the state have come to look forward to year after year.
Exhibits will range from LaSalle and his trek across this part of Michigan in the 1600s as well as stories of a 1774 family breaking flax and their life experiences in that time. At 4 p.m. the winner of the raffle for a chainsaw will be announced (and you will have time to get your tickets that day.)
This year is no different. Horse drawn wagon rides will be available, the Realy house will be open to tour with knowledgeable volunteers, including the newly refurbished parlor and girl’s bedroom with 1880 reproduction wallpaper. Demonstrators will be on site showcasing their talents, talented local musicians will be entertaining young and old alike with songs and stories, and there’s a children’s area for little ones to play and learn about life on the farm.
As always, the concession area will be offering delicious meals as well as the famous Waterloo Bean Soup. The newly renovated Bakehouse will have fresh popped popcorn and the scrumptious Waterloo Museum recipe Molasses Cookies.
The Farm Store will be open for you to begin your Holiday shopping or just purchase something that you’ve always had your eye on. Vendors will be onsite offering their handmade wares, the Flower Barn will be open and offering beautiful Autumn arrangements/wreaths/garlands for your home.
As always, the Farm Wagon will be there with local produce as well as delicious home baked cookies, brownies, breads, cakes, pies and other treats from our numerous volunteers. There are typically homemade jams/ jellies/ honey and occasionally pickles and salsas.
Also at the Farm Wagon, pretzels will be back, and you will also be able to get more molasses cookies in case you run out while walking from the Bakehouse, so you can have a stash of your own in your car.
This year, we are thrilled to be bringing back our pie judging competition. Home bakers will be submitting two pies (no, our judges do not get to eat both), one will be for judging, the second could be for you to take home. They will be auctioned off to benefit the Waterloo Farm Museum. The pie auction will occur at 3 p.m.
There will be some beautiful pottery prizes for the winners. Pie judging takes place at 11 a.m.
Volunteers are excited to be adding a kid’s pie eating contest as well. There will be two groups – for children up to 8 years old and 9-13 years old. Contestants will be covered in plastic and given a 5-inch pie. Whomever finishes first/is the messiest wins, (who are we kidding, pie eating – everyone wins.) Sign-up will Take place that morning in the Children’s Area. Competitions will occur at 1 and 2:30 p.m. We look forward to all the delicious mayhem.
Cost is $5 adults/ $4 Seniors 62+/ $2 Children 5-12 / Members and Children under 5 are free.
