As the fall harvest approaches, Carriage Hill MetroPark's historical farm celebrates the tradition of an 1880's country fair. From agricultural demonstrations to a pie-baking competition, all the sights and sounds of a country fair will be recreated. See various living history talks and demonstrations given to present a picture of our past. Also, watch the sorghum press squeeze the sweet juice from the stalks. The steam from the steam engine boils the juice into sorghum molasses.

During the 19th century, corn was a common staple crop throughout the Midwest. Help husk corn that will be food for the livestock throughout the winter.

Do you know where your food comes from? Find out how food got from the farm to the table in the 1880s. Come learn about a variety of foods and how they were produced. Help grind wheat into flour, learn about meat preservation through smoking and salting, sample some fresh bread, try your hand at making butter, drying fruit, and helping save some seeds from the garden. Enjoy a whole weekend dedicated to food.

Watch the farm hands use ice saws, pike poles and tongs to cut blocks of ice from the farm pond and load them onto the bobsled for storage in the farm's ice house. Ice can then be used year-round to make ice cream, and keep certain foods cool. Depending on the weather, date may change. Call 278-2609 for more information.

This class provides the opportunity for volunteers to assist at the farm & gain experience working with Percheron draft horses. Students will learn the basic fundamental of harnessing & driving draft horses. Volunteers are required to log in 30 hours of driving with an approved driver before receiving permission to drive on their own. 25 hours of solo driving are required to receive their certification. Volunteers over 18 years only and must have previous experience with horses required. Potential applicants should contact Patrick Dwyer at 937-275-5006 to obtain an application and schedule an interview.