On October 16, 2021, over 2,000 families, event sponsors, volunteers, vendors, friends, and neighbors attended the Annual Fall Festival at Auerfarm. A heartwarming event to see so many dedicated to supporting Auerfarm’s mission.

The overwhelming support from the Greater Hartford residents, sponsors, businesses, volunteers, and other organizations was absolutely spectacular. Although the Fall Festival is a singular day event, the annual event showcases the all-season community-wide awareness highlighting Auerfarm’s commitment to providing educational opportunities for a connection to the natural environment, agriculture, and science.

As the October warm sun rays beamed over the 120-acre farm, there was a constant flow of engaging activity from 11:00am to 4:00pm. A steady flow of cars, hayrides, and turnout to the vendor tables, the Touch a Truck area, Barn Tours, Cow Chip Raffle, the Scarecrow Competition, the 4-H Fair Premier Showmanship presentation, Samba Cuisine, the Bluegrass Band at the Pavilion, the Auerfarm 4-H Club Hot dog stand, and to all educational arts and physical activities the Fall Festival offered to all ages. It was simply a magical day of community and humanity at its finest.

A heartfelt thank you to all who participated in the Fall Festival to support Auerfarm’s educational programs and resources to provide access to farm-based learning and improved quality of life for people of all ages. Together, we are making a difference.

Thank you to our event sponsors:
Downes Construction Company, Operation Fuel, Liberty Bank, Integrated Rehabilitation Services, Insurance Provider Group, Dornenburg Kallenbach Advertising (DKA), LegalShield, Jen’s Plant Stand.

Volunteers:
Jean T, Jackie D, Mark W, Danique E, Lindy, Carlene B, Caitlyn S, Marlene M, Ted O, Woody H, Ashley K, Karen C, Nate D, Reese S, Carla H, Anabel P, Marion K, Justin R, Iris S, Lilly P, Kim R, Ariana W, Kim C, Martha H, Vanise S, David S, Anne-Marie M, Tahlia W, Alexa W, Heidi W, Brian M, Renee K, Becky W, Nichole K, Nola K, Jx E, Virginia E, Kate E, Carly C, Mr. W, Jessica C, Brooklyn C, Aiden M, Krista C, Gabby C, James D, Lowen R ,Emilee S, Michael A, Brie S, Danielle W, Grace, and Adam S.

Vendors:
Operation Fuel, Insurance Provider Group, LegalShield, Liberty Bank, Dinosaurs by J.S, Hartford County 4-H Extension, Master Gardeners, Nae’s Beads and More, Wordsmith Book Shop, Knitting by Amy, Maglieri Wood Works, Michelette Clay Art, Boys & Girls Club of Hartford, Auerfarm 4-H Club, Atabex Jewelry, Tie Dye, Harris Agriscience Center, Fiber Spinning by Gloria, LeafFilter, Jen’s Plant Stand, Samba Cuisine, Food Truck, Bloomfield Public Library, Community Health Center, Inc., Jacqueline Design Studio, AT&T, & Bloomfield Ambulance.

Scarecrow Winners:
Congratulations, Scarecrow Competition winners!
1st Place Winner of $100 – Lynn Weisel – Renee the Recycler
2nd Place Winner of $75– Maggie Shapiro – Isabella
3rd Place Winner of $50 – Insurance Provider Group – Penny the Peacock (Thank you for donating your winnings back to Auerfarm!)

Scarecrow Judges:
Ben Carroll, Auerfarm Farm Assistant, Marlene Mayes, UConn/Auerfarm Master Gardener, Amy Gilbert, 4-H Alumni, and Danielle Wong, Auerfarm Board of Trustee and Bloomfield Town Councilor.

Cow Chip Raffle Winners:
Congratulations, Cow Chip winners!
$1,250 Winner – Jacqueline Smith (Thank you for donating your winnings back to the farm! We appreciate your generosity!)
$750 Winner – Marcus McDonald
$500 Winner – Brenda Thomas
Three cows were turned loose above the ‘Nourishing Garden’ fields and these cows determined the lucky winners by dropping a “chip” on their squares.

October 16, 2021 was a day that sparked community fellowship, awareness, and engagement. Auerfarm was honored to have had the enormous support of all who attended and partnered with the Fall Festival of 2021. We cannot do what we do without You. Thank you to everyone.
See you next year and If you are interested in volunteering, please email Shanoi Campbell at scampbell@auerfarm.org.