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| Ready for the Cider Press |
A few years ago, my family spent our Thanksgiving weekend at the Homestead Fair outside of Waco, and we were so glad we did! The Homestead Fair is an agri-tourism event that attracts over 14,000 visitors a year to its celebration of farm life and heirloom skills. If you’ve ever wanted to help milk a cow or lend a hand at an old-fashioned barn raising, you have the unique opportunity to do so Friday-Sunday, November 29 – December 1, 2013.
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| Milking Demonstration |
Free activities at Homestead Fair include:
- More than 60 craft demonstrations
- A (very fun!) petting pen
- Afternoon and evening music performances
- Audiovisuals every 20 minutes
- Seminar training courses
- Craft displays
- Agricultural exhibits
- Tour of historic buildings
- Barn raising (and a mini barn raising for the kids!)
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| Sheepdog Herding |
Do-it-Yourself Crafts which cost a fee include:
- Pounding a brass spoon
- Making sorghum taffy
- Candle-dipping
- Woodworking
- Weaving a jump rope
To view a complete list of handicrafts see the fee schedule.
There are also opportunities for shopping, carriage rides, and hay rides.
Bringing a picnic to the fair is allowed, but we were glad we decided to purchase our meals there instead because the food is exceptional. Many of the items are prepared using ingredients grown or raised by the agrarian community that puts on the fair. (You have to try the apple cider donuts!)
There is an area of the grounds set aside for limited number of tent campers for a $7 fee. If you are interested in this option, make a reservation here soon, as the spots do fill up. (We camped at the fair when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant; I felt like a real pioneer!)
This event is of special relevance to those interested in sustainable living and agriculture, but it’s also just a lot of fun for kids and adults. We found that the day and a half we spent there was barely enough time to see and do everything that sparked our interest.
We really liked the Homestead Fair as a complement to the Thanksgiving holiday. It was a great way to bring to life the hard work of the pilgrims and pioneers and something the whole family could do together.
For more information please visit www.homesteadcraftfair.com
Homestead Fair
Waco, TX 76705
