BROWNSTOWN
In the morning, tractors paraded in front of Hoosier Christian Village as residents sat outside and inside.
They also could hold and pet Jan Lockman’s rabbit, Bucky.
Then in the afternoon, a few more animals, including goats, baby ducks and kittens, arrived at the assisted living facility in Brownstown.
The tractors and animals were showcased during the inaugural Farm Day.
It was similar to last summer’s Village Fair when tractors, animals, food, games and other popular attractions at the Jackson County Fair were brought to the residents since they couldn’t go to the county’s largest event due to it being canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Just something fun,” Activities Director Allison Sparks said of organizing Farm Day. “We like to do at least a couple of big events each month, so this is one of those. We’re doing a Camping Day (this) week and a Water Day. It’s all about them, for sure. They deserve it all.”
After coming up with the concept for Farm Day, Sparks went to Facebook to ask for volunteers to bring tractors and animals to the facility for the residents to enjoy.
She was contacted by tractor owners about coming by on their way to staging the weekend at the Jackson County Antique Machinery Association Inc. show at the nearby fairgrounds, and she heard from several people who own farm animals.
“Most definitely a huge thank-you,” she said of the response. “I know that it means a lot to the residents.”
Farm Day was special for several of the residents who grew up on farms, including Myron Curry.
He said his family had cattle, while one uncle was a big turkey farmer, and an aunt and uncle specialized in chickens and turkeys on their farm.
The parade of tractors was neat for Curry, too, since his family used them to give feed to the cattle.
“It brought back a lot of memories,” he said, smiling, noting he also served for 25 years on the county fair board. “I can remember when Dad would plow and I would ride the plow, and they had those levers and you had to raise the plow. I had to do it.”
Resident Pam Ault also remembers having a cow at her home growing up. While she didn’t get to see one on Farm Day, she was happy to hold the fluffy rabbit.
“He’s so cute, and I got to hold him. He’s a doll,” she said with a big smile.
She was looking forward to seeing the other animals in the afternoon.
“I love farm animals. I love animals completely,” Ault said. “(The HCV staff members) have a lot of things for us to do here.”
Wearing a straw hat, Ethel Conrad wore the appropriate attire for Farm Day. She said she wore it during Village Fair, too, and she only gets it out for special occasions when she goes outside.
“It has been in my closet just waiting,” she said, laughing.
She, too, had a farming background, so Farm Day brought back a lot of memories.
“I grew up on a farm in Washington County,” she said. “We had cows and sheep, and we had a horse, pigs — usual farm animals.”
Since the county fair is scheduled for July 25 to 31 this year, Curry said he hopes residents can return to their tradition of going to the fairgrounds for all of the animals, activities, food and exhibits.