The Center in Palos Park will host the Barn to be Wild fundraiser Saturday and Sunday at The Children’s Farm, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park.
The Center’s director of development Mark Walker will do much of the heavy lifting, spending the entire time in the pig pen with the farm’s three little pigs.
“So, that’s a total of 27 hours that one, or sometimes two, staff members stay in the pig pen, eat all the meals there, sleep over and just entertain visitors and guests,” Walker said.
Walker said although his schedule is a bit different than usual, families can expect to enjoy the same tours and animal visits between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday as they would any weekend, but there won’t be any admission charge.
More Top Picks Watches
“We don’t depend on admissions for this,” Walker said. “We depend on donations.”
Another bonus for visitors is a longer day at the farm. Visitors can keep Walker company until 11 p.m. Saturday. The event officially ends at 4 p.m. Sunday.
There will be plenty to see and do during the extended Saturday hours, Walker said. Activities include meeting special visitors to the pig pen.
Staff members will stop in to discuss the mission of The Center, an interfaith nonprofit organization, and the various programs at The Center and The Children’s Farm. Junior Farmers, Toastmasters and a group of horseback riders are scheduled to visit, and there will be live music and karaoke throughout Saturday evening.
Those who are long gone before “lights out” at 11 p.m. can follow the fun on the site’s webcam.
Special activities continue on Sunday. Sunday morning begins with a 7 a.m. meditation with Chris Hopkins, followed by breakfast in the pig pen. The event officially ends at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Walker’s three little roommates will probably get in on the fun if past experience is any indication, he said.
“They run around and they’re interested in the visitors and the food,” Walker said.
He said the pigs have been known to play a “grab and drag” game with the plastic chairs, and since it’s their home turf, humans better play by pig rules.
“One time people decided we’ll do it up fancy,” Walker said. “We’ll put our tablecloths on and candles and stuff like that, and the pigs immediately came over and pulled the tablecloth right off.”
Walker said no matter what happens, his time in the pen will be well spent. The annual fundraiser will raise money for the general operations of The Center, as well as to feed the animals at the farm, repair equipment and help provide 100 scholarships annually for children who would otherwise not be able to afford summer camp programs at the farm, among other things.
This year’s goal is $50,000. “Pen pals” can raise money at www.barntobewild.org through pledges from others who donate dollars for every hour Walker spends in the pig pen. Visitors to the event can donate on site, too, Walker said.
A full schedule of events is at www.barntobewild.org.
Ginger Brashinger is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.