At this weekend’s 42nd Annual Hallockville Museum Farm Country Fair on Sept. 9 and 10, there are lots of new activities for those who want to experience truly old-fashioned country living.
It’s a weekend full of nostalgia for a time when farming, agriculture, and a simple life defined the North Fork. After you’ve sampled the delectable homemade bakery items, another must-see is the new native meadow created by the gardeners at Hallockville Museum Farm. There will also be 35 vendors, a mini farmers market, a master decoy carver, historic tours of the Hallock Homestead and Cichanowicz farmhouse, and live acoustic country music featuring the pedal steel, harmonica, strings and mandolin.
“We’re very excited to be partnering with Long Island Antique Power Authority this year,” said Roberta Shoten, Executive Director of the Hallockville Museum Farm. “Children and adults can go on the tractor pulls and hayrides. And the blacksmith shop and the sawmill will be open.”
Another activity that draws a lot of families to the fair is the petting zoo. “It’s the second year for that and it’s part of our very large children’s activity area which also includes great arts and crafts,” Shoten said. “Children can milk a pretend cow and do fake laundry on a scrub board which is really fun. Kids and parents love the pony rides!”
Also added to the fair this year will be signage in Spanish and translators for the Hispanic community.
A special memorial at the fair will be a quilt exhibit in honor of long-time Hallockville supporter Elizabeth Buniski of Wading River.
“Because of her exceptional hand-stitching skills and embroidery, her hand-stitched quilts are not to be missed,” said Connie Klos, a Hallockville Museum Farm volunteer who also runs the Sound Avenue Stitchers group monthly meeting. Buniski passed away in December.
Admission is $12 per person ages 3+, or a family pass for $45 which covers two adults and two children. There are additional charges for the pony rides and feed for the animals. Food trucks will be on-site with food for purchase. Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Visit hallockville.org/countryfair for more.
