October 9, 2002
Barns site of old-fashion parade
Harvest Festival features 20 draft animals, dance in Cathedral Barn
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
The sound of horse hooves reverberated around the buildings of the Traverse City State Hospital grounds Saturday afternoon during a Harvest Festival and Old-Time Parade.
The afternoon kicked off with more than 20 draft animals - including horses, mules, ponies and miniature horses - pulling a variety of carriages, wagons and buggies around the Barns and nearby buildings. Seven members of the Leelanau Sheriff's Mounted Division provided a color guard for the parade.
The drivers, who were members of the Northern Michigan Draft Horse and Mule Association, donned old-fashioned clothing to help create the mood. Some of the clothing was on loan for the event from the Con Foster Museum.
"We thought this would be a lot of fun, something to do with the animals," said John Youker of Buckley, who brought his two mules, Jim and Jesse, and wagon to the parade. "I've never been in the barns before and they are beautiful. I think they should be used for this type of activity, a historical museum or something like that."
Jeff Forsythe of Fife Lake is vice president of the Northern Michigan Draft Horse and Mule Association. He noted that even during the parade, spectators called out their thanks to the drivers and that after the route was completed, many people, especially children, came up to meet and pet the horses.
"People were extremely appreciative," he said. "Everybody enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Most people have never been so close to the animals as they were on Saturday; they may not understand about them but they love to see them."
Following the parade, spectators gathered on the grassy hills outside the barns to snack on ice cream and hot dogs while children painted pumpkins. Tours also drew the curious into the massive dairy barns that used to house the State Hospital's award-winning dairy herd. Later that afternoon, strains of old- fashioned music spilled out of the Cathedral Barn as dance caller Pat Hoekje of Traverse City led a lively barn dance.
The event was sponsored by the Rolling Centuries Historical Farm, an organization dedicated to making the Barns and surrounding grounds a working historical farm.
Nearly 1,500 people of all ages came to participate, many curious about the barns while others appreciated a great family time.
"The kids loved the horses, they got to walk around and pet the horses after the parade," said Steve Huff of Traverse City, while he helped his two daughters, Katheryn, 5, and Stephanie, 3, paint pumpkins. "This would be great to bring this facility back around."
Emmy Lou Cholak, the events chair for the Rolling Centuries Historical Farm, was thrilled by the enthusiasm of participants and spectators alike in Saturday's parade and barn dance. As Cholak dashed around that afternoon, working with the 50 volunteers on hand and helping everything run smoothly, she noted the smiles and the enthusiasm of attendees.
"Our goal in these events is that people come out, see the barns and that they can be a historical farm for the area," Cholak said. "The community can become aware that this is Traverse City, this is our project. Ours, meaning not just the Rolling Centuries committee, but ours, the people of Traverse City."
As the Rolling Centuries Historical Farm committee enters its next phase of life, a six-month feasibility study followed by potential fundraising, the community's response is key. She said the highly successful events held this summer and fall have demonstrated to the Grand Traverse Commons Board that the idea of preservation is a winning one, well supported by the community.
"Traverse City could have an educational historical farm, that would be unique," Cholak noted. "One that would depict the history of our area for generations to come."