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The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
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Harvest Festival

Family smiling sitting on hay at Ag History Farm Park

Harvest Festival returns to the Agricultural History Farm Park on Saturday, October 5


Here is our day-of program for the 30th Annual Harvest Festival(accessible PDF)


Enjoy a fun-filled fall day on the farm with traditional crafts, activities, music, and food during the 30th annual Harvest Festival. Participate in hands-on farm activities such as candle dipping, tin-smithing, painting pumpkins and building scarecrows. Enjoy live music featuring Story Tapestries’ jazz artist, Alison Crockett and bluegrass stylings of the Hickory Grove Band and stories told by master puppeteer, Schroeder Cherry and Maryland’s official Griot, Janice Curtis Greene. Play historic games and explore farm equipment demonstrations. Meet heritage farm animals and experience live sheep herding demonstrations with Trial & Error Acres herders. Don’t leave with taking a hayride around the farmstead!

Agricultural History Farm Park is situated on 455 acres of land and serves as a historic farm site as well as a modern farming activity center. Along with the Farm Park’s historic farmstead, the park is home to the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Program for Montgomery County, as well as the Friends of the Agricultural History Farm Park, and the National Capital Dahlia Society demonstration garden.

Admission is $20/Car (cash only)

Food, refreshments, and some activities will have additional fees ($)

Event takes place rain or shine. 

Dogs are not permitted at this event. 


Activities and Demonstrations:

Music on the Main Stage
Story Tapestries featuring Alison Crockett
Hickory Grove Band

A band performing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storytelling on the Farmhouse Porch
Janice “The Griot” Greene

A storyteller performs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farm Animals at the Barn & Farmhouse Grounds

2 people with goats and sheep

Other Activities-

Puppet Show in the Carriage House
“Civil Rights Children’s Crusade” featuring Schroeder Cherry, Master Puppeteer

Sheepdog Herding Demonstrations in the Farm Field

boys on a tractor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmhouse Grounds 

  • Archaeology Dig & Activities: Tin-smithing and Marble Making
  • Gyame Quilt Studio featuring Kyna Clemons
  • Moonlight Bobbin Lace Making
  • Community Gardens Program Activities
  • Crafts: Cornhusks & Yarn Dolls, Toy Tractors
  • Candle Dipping
  • Laundry/Water Fetching
  • Hay Play (at Hay Barracks)
  • Sawmill Demonstrations
  • Woodworking Demonstrations

Girl rinsing laundry with antique equipment

Equipment Shed

  • Blacksmith Demonstrations
  • Food Concessions ($)
  • Restrooms

funnel cake being prepared

Road to Activity Center

  • Montgomery County Beekeepers Association
  • Maryland Agriculture Showcase
  • Hay Wagon Rides
  • Montgomery Parks “Nature on Wheels”
  • “What’s It” Room – Antique Tools Exhibit (at Historic Granary)
  • Antique Farm Tractors & Equipment
  • Laytonsville Fire Department Antique Fire Engines
  • Food Concessions ($)
  • Scarecrow Making ($)
  • Pumpkin Painting ($)
  • Restrooms

Boy painting pumpkin

Activity Center and Grounds

  • Montgomery County Assoc. for Family & Community Education
    Craft & Bake Sale ($)
    Children’s Games
  • University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners
    Demonstration Gardens Activities & Tours
  • National Capital Dahlia Society
    Garden Tours
  • Face Painting

Museum with open door and welcome sign