Focus on Hanley Farm – October 2014

As the cooler weather rolls in and the colorful change of autumn arrives, an impressive bounty is being harvested and processed for winter at Hanley Farm. Amidst the harvest, time is made for planting garlic and hardy winter greens, mulching garden beds, shearing sheep, collecting walnuts, and breeding the animals in anticipation of spring babies.

This is a reflective and joyous time of year. As we wrap-up the final weeks of the Hanley Farm booth at the Jacksonville Farmers’ Market, we also begin hosting school field trips that bring hundreds of school children to the farm as we gear-up for our much-anticipated and ever-festive October events.

The annual Scarecrow Festival, Saturday and Sunday, October 11-12, 11:00am-4:00pm, will get the whole family in the holiday spirit! Bring the kids and create a handmade scarecrow together (kits available), bob for apples, paint pumpkins, and warm-up with hot apple cider and fall treats. There will also be guided tours of the historic Hanley House museum. This old-fashioned event is all about building community and creating memories to last a lifetime.

This year, Hanley Farm is very excited to announce a partnership with Crater Renaissance Academy Drama to present “Max and the Monster”—a haunting adventure under the moonlight! Join us for a dark walk guided by lantern through the fields of Hanley to experience the story of little Max and the beast that lives there. Hold your little ones tight as you encounter talkative scarecrows, a mysterious rabbit hole, and Mr. Brown’s cave. This family-friendly event (no gore!) is intended for children 5-years and older, accompanied by an adult. With three nights of performances leading up to Halloween, this is a Hanley Farm tradition that is not to be missed!

Sunday, October 19, 7:00-9:00pm*

Saturday, October 25, 7:00-9:00pm*

Sunday, October 26, 7:00-9:00pm*

*Gate opens at 6:00pm

Featured Image Photo by Lea Worcester