Historic Baseball Season
Join the Walnut Hill Bluestockings for a season of vintage baseball! Watch the home team compete in 1870s-rules baseball game at the Walnut Hill Field. Cheer the batters or “strikers” as they call their pitch and “Leg it” to first. Support the team captain as he argues with the umpire and see if the one bounce rule will be enforced or if new fangled ideas of “catching on the fly” will prevail. The team makes sure kids have a chance to bat around at the end of the game! Games on May 2, May 31, June 6, July 4, July 18, Aug 8, Sept 5, Sept 19, and Oct. 3. All games begin at 2:00--except for July 4th (2:30).
Behind the Barn Free Concert Series
Wednesday, September 1 6-9 pm - FREE
Presented by Fitness Sports with additional support from Atlantic Bottling. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and gather behind the Flynn barn for an evening of live music. Food concessions and cash bar with pop, beer and wine will be available. Please no outside coolers or beverages.
Brother Trucker- Roots rock/alternative country. Roots rockers Brother Trucker are unique in their art of telling the story of everyday people through their original lyrics. Also known to do a few select cover songs, the group has an alternative country sound.
Family Weekend: Farmer’s Fall Carnival - NEW
Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5
“The Happiest Music on Earth” will resound from the Town of Walnut Hill during Farmer’s Fall Carnival September 4th & 5th. Fifty members of the Carousel Organ Association of America representing 12 states will play throughout the weekend, boasting at least 15 small "organ grinder" organs, 8 large organs and one calliope. Both days will feature sideshow amusements from 1-4 such as our 1875 travelling museum of curiosities, carnival games with prizes and tattooing. What carnival experience is complete without a little fish bowl? Children can make and take their own fish bowl, complete with a fish guaranteed to live forever.
On Saturday only, free pony rides will be available from 1-4. Cool down with a free freeze pop and enjoy melodramas in the barn. The Walnut Hill Amateur Dramatic Society presents Peril on the Prairie at 11 and 1, and Children’s Participation Pantomime at 12:15 and 2. Cheer on the Walnut Hill Bluestockings Sunday at 2:00, while enjoying a cool treat. Don’t miss this new special event! The Family Weekend is Saturday and Sunday, we are closed on Labor Day.
1st Annual Homeschool Day, “Fall Chores Day”
Wednesday, Sept. 8
Living History Farms welcomes homeschool families! Tour 300 years of Midwestern history, from when the Ioway Indians farmed in Iowa to the beginning of the 20th century when farmers used horses, and participate in chores done by children. Explore the daily life of a child in 1875 as you tour the town of Walnut Hill and participate in chores at 5 locations throughout town. And don’t be late for a lesson at the schoolhouse!
Pre-registration required; e-mail educ@lhf.org or call 515.278.5286 ext. 178. Activities take place from 10:00 – noon, and from 1:00 – 3:00. Once you register, you will receive a list of activities for the day. Special discount of $1.00 off admission price for homeschool families that pre-register by September 1st.
Photography Day
Saturday, September 18
Enjoy a day of photography workshops in Iowa’s largest outdoor classroom! Take a lens for a “test drive” from the Canon or Nikon representatives. Photography experts will be on hand to offer classes and will be out in the field to help you perfect your photography technique. Amateurs as well as professionals are encouraged to attend. Sponsored by Christian Photography, all workshops are included with admission price to Living History Farms.
The Ties That Bind: A Historic Quilt Show
September 29 – October 3
Thirty rarely seen historic quilts from the nationally recognized Living History Farms quilt collection will be on display in the Church of the Land along with historic clothing and household textiles. Children's hands-on activities include quilt block coloring and sewing cards.
Family Weekend: Harvest Fest
October 2 & 3
Visit our historic farms and master the techniques of handpicking corn. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride into the fields to watch working machinery used to harvest corn from 1910-1950. In town, enjoy the fruits of fall as you stir a copper kettle of apple butter, crank the cider press, and sample fresh apple fritters. Music, children’s games and crafts round out the fun.
Family Halloween Nights
October 21-24 and 28-31 from 5:30 – 8:30pm
Horse-drawn wagon rides, marshmallow roast, storytellers, scarecrow and jack-o-lantern displays delight all during this non-scary family event. Children aged 12 and under trick or treat through town, and free pop and popcorn for all. Prices: $5/person, $4.50 LHF members and pre-sold groups of 10 or more.
Farmstasia: A Haunted Hoedown, Saturday, October 16th, 2010
Farmstasia is a casually-elegant fundraising dinner/auction event, centered around the historic Flynn Barn and our modern Visitor Center. In this way, we combine a taste of Iowa’s rich agricultural heritage with the comforts of contemporary amenities. The 2010 Farmstasia theme is “Haunted Hoedown,” an anniversary-year echo of Living History Farms’ first fundraising event, held 40 years-ago. Gala attire is casual, with costumes encouraged. Proceeds from Farmstasia support Living History farms’ extensive
education and outreach programs, which serve more than 30,000 Iowa school children
annually.
Prairie Christmas
December 11, 12-4 pm
Enjoy a holiday open house with a prairie feel. The Tangen home will be decorated for the season and bustling with party preparations and music. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride to the General Store and the Church for an old fashioned holiday social with music, games, tree trimming and Santa Claus. Taffy pulls and children's crafts make this a festive afternoon on the prairie. The Marketplace and a special children's Santa's Workshop will be open for holiday shopping. Prices: $5/person, $4.50 LHF members and pre-sold groups of 10 or more.
