Celebrate healthy eating and sustainable living during MetroParks' Small Farm & Food Fest

Five Rivers MetroParks will host Small Farm & Food Fest on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroParks, 7800 E. Shull Rd. This free, all-ages festival features hands-on activities, demonstrations, speakers and a pop-up farmers market that focuses on healthy eating and sustainable living.

Small Farm & Food Fest will offer a mix of modern-day and historical farming, gardening, food preparation, cooking, homesteading and home sustainability information.

“During the pandemic, we saw a lot of people go back to basics, whether it was baking bread from scratch or planting victory gardens,” said MetroParks education coordinator Rick Musselman. “All of these skills can help people live healthier, more sustainable lifestyles and we aim to spark and fuel those interests during Small Farm & Food Fest.”

The event will be held at the Carriage Hill MetroPark visitor center, historical farm and farm house.

• Historical demos and workshops: From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., festival attendees can view canned goods, heirloom vegetable and butter making displays.
• Live animals: Visitors can learn more about the farm’s heritage breed animals and watch draft horse demonstrations.
• Pop-up farmers market: Featuring local growers, artisans and more, the farmer’s market will feature more than 15 vendors.
• Local food finds: Discover the importance of local produce and where to find fresh picks from the growers at the 2nd Street Market.
• Speakers: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 12 local speakers will cover topics that include gardening, cooking, food prep, homesteading and more.
• For the family: Visitors can participate in historical games and enjoy tractor-pulled wagon rides.

Food will be available from a variety of local food trucks such as Kona Ice of Troy, Thai 1 On, Cumberland Kettle Corn, G’s Cue BBQ and El Buen Taco. Festivalgoers also will enjoy live music from noon to 4 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark’s visitors center.  

More information: Small Farm & Food Fest