Despite cool temperatures and intermittent sprinkles, the parking lot filled up quickly Saturday morning for the annual Farm Animal Baby Shower at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm.
Mill Creek MetroParks educator Lynn Zocolo of Salem said the event started in 1992 as an opportunity for children to see and feed baby animals. It has expanded over the years, and now the 400-acre farm needs dozens of staff and volunteers, including from Youngstown State University, Kent State University and area high schools, to make the shower a success.
With an average attendance of 4,000 people, they now include interactive displays in the “Agventure Barn,” face painting, a tractor and wagon ride and a sheep shearing demonstration. But the baby animals remain the center of attention.
Cindy Fernback of Boardman is also an educator for the park.
“It has become a way for families to kick off the spring,” Fernback said.
She noted that she brought her own children to the event many years ago.
Besides the tradition, Fernback said it is an opportunity for urban and suburban children who are not familiar with farms to see what goes on.
“Kids don’t know where their food comes from. They get a chance to come out to a rural setting. It’s a different vibe at the farm,” Fernback said.
Farm Supervisor Brian Moff of Beloit was supplying hay for the goats and sheep. He echoed Fernback’s assessment, stating, “It is a good chance for people to see things they don’t normally see on a usual day.”
Jennifer Jackson of Youngstown was one of the volunteers. She is both a student and an employee at YSU. She said she was “looking for something different” to volunteer her time.
Among those were 6-year old Adalie Durk and 8-year old Paityn Mills, both of Salem. Durk said she likes the goats and Mills said she likes the chicks and bunnies.
Youngstown resident Alijah Posey, 5, said he was having a good time and especially enjoyed the pigs, while his 2-year old sister Alona thought the cow was best, and for 4-year old Aaliyah it’s all about the “quack-quack.”
Fernback pointed out the MetroParks Farm is open throughout the year, and when parents are trying to entertain their restless children, they can bring them to see the barns, participate in catch and release fishing, and learn how to care for a garden in the Ready, Set, GROW program. Fernback said, “Kids who would never touch a piece of broccoli all of a sudden want to eat it when they see it growing.”
Salem resident Samantha Corral has been attending the baby shower for 10 years. She said simply, “The kids enjoy it. It brings joy to everybody. Farm life is such a beautiful thing.”
Read the original article at The Vindicator.
