DETROIT: Once farmland and home to a multitude of animals and orchards, the celebration of the Harvest at Detroit's Palmer Park was honored in the days of Senator and Mrs. Palmer in the late 1800s, when Palmer Park was known as Log Cabin Farm.
Reviving this tradition, on Sunday, October 5 from 2 - 5 pm, People for Palmer Park presents its free annual Harvest Festival with hayrides through the historic woods; apple tasting and applesauce-making demos; petting zoo and pony rides; tours through Palmer Park's new urban garden and pumpkin patch; arts and crafts and games for children; music-making; and much more. This will be a fun opportunity for all ages to learn about how our food is grown, the lives of farm animals, and nature in the park.
The event takes place by the new Splash Park, on Merrill Plaisance near Pontchartrain, between McNichols and Seven Mile Roads, west of Woodward Avenue. Parking in available at the Splash Park parking lot.
Special harvest treats will be on hand for tasting, including the five varieties of apples that grow in the park. Corn will be roasted, and cider and donuts, as well has homemade applesauce will be available. A special squash display will demonstrate the wide variety of pumpkins and squash that grow in Michigan and how they look inside and out! Motor City Music Together with Leah Celebi will have instruments and musical games for children. Explore the woods, either on the hayride or by walking on the guided path to view ancient and intriguing trees and plants, who have their home in Palmer Park.
Like last year, we enjoyed a dairy cow at the festival, so children were able try their hand at milking this magnificent animal. We have invited her to return, but even if she can't attend, there will be much to explore, experience and celebrate.
