Free farming demonstrations, contests and numerous family activities including horse rides and a petting zoo will be offered at Farm & Barn Fest on Saturday in Mokena.
The 11th annual event presented by WCCQ-FM (98.3) will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Yunker Farm, 10824 W. LaPorte Road, and the Oaks Recreation & Fitness Center, 10847 W. LaPorte Road.
An evening country concert costs $3 and is free for kids.
Admission and parking are free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for activities that celebrate farming life and harvest season.
“The live demonstrations on site, from blacksmithing to sheep shearing, keep kids interested in how things were done many years ago and help to present the educational aspect of the farm, which is a national historic landmark,” said Erin Cortilet, recreation supervisor of special events for the Mokena Park District.
The fest will have a display of farm antiques donated by the Yunker family and others while local farmer Steve Wright will provide a buggy and carriage and prepare farm-fresh corn with his 1911 steam engine tractor.
“And every year we add new event components to make it fresh and exciting,” she said.
New for 2015 are a panning for gold activity with prizes, a kids’ mechanical bull, pig puzzle and the Famous Idaho Potato Truck with a 12,130-pound spud.
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The fest will also have a giant inflatable slide, a bounce house with inflatable ponies inside to hop on and 15 games.
Contests on the main stage will be held throughout the day, including hula hoop and limbo, for babies and kids ages 3 months to four years.
“The pie-eating contest is always a fun favorite and open to ages 8 to 18,” she added.
Other highlights include the eighth annual quilt show, with the public invited to vote for favorites, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside the field house and an outdoor flea market with new and resale items plus produce from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A country concert by Mokena band Fire Chicken and headliners Wild Daisy will be from 5:30 to 11 p.m. at the farm. Beverages, including beer and wine, will be available for purchase.
Yunker Farm is a 116.25-acre site, with 48 acres to the south of LaPorte Road and 68 acres to the north that include the McGovney-Yunker Homestead, original farm structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a working farm.
As part of a $6 million referendum approved in 2014, the farm is undergoing improvements. Barns have been painted and the homestead resided. Future plans call for a splash pad, dog park, an amphitheater and community gardens.
For more details, call 708-390-2401 or visit mokenapark.com.
Vickie Jurkowski is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.