LEOMINSTER — The sound of bagpipes filling the air and butterflies taking flight was the scene at Sholan Farms over the weekend.
Eight-year-old Carly Fagan from Fitchburg was one of the many youngsters who had smiles on their faces as they released butterflies at the 24th annual Apple Blossom Festival on May 17 at the 169-acre community owned and operated farm on Pleasant Street.
Friends of Sholan Farms volunteer and butterfly release coordinator Janice Gaudet said to those gathered that according to Native American legend “if you want to make a wish, you must capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it…the Great Spirit always grants the wish.”
This was just one of the many family friendly activities featured at the festival that drew upwards of 1,000 people to the scenic spot on Saturday. There was also face painting, wagon rides, a magic show, scavenger hunt, food trucks, over 40 vendors, raffle baskets and items, a DJ, and Animal Adventures brought all kinds of creatures.
“The food was great and the animals that people could touch from Animal Adventures was awesome,” said Friends of Sholan Farms volunteer and event co-chair Gary Zimmerman. “From the alligator to the python to the hairless rat, kids loved being able to touch these animals.”
Zimmerman and the rest of the dedicated all volunteer Friends of Sholan Farms crew work all year planning and prepping for the one-day event.
“You hope the weather holds up. This year it didn’t rain so that was a relief,” he said of the notoriously fickle New England weather that has caused them to have to cancel the festival in previous years. “We seemed to have a steady flow of people throughout the day, [and] the most popular entertainment was Balloon Ben. He had a steady line from 10:30 to 3:30.”
Friends of Sholan Farms volunteer and event co-chair Nancy Trout said they had “great participation from sponsors and many non-profit community resources” and that people seemed to really enjoy all the interactive experiences provided at the festival.
“Magician Steve Charette had great audience participation with his funny yet mystifying magic show, the MEM Dance Theatre got kids up and moving to hip hop dance routines, and Animal Adventures provided an up close and personal introduction to some of the exotic residents from their zoo and rescue center,” she said.
Longtime city resident and Friends of Sholan Farms President Joanne DiNardo shared that while they had dozens of hardworking volunteers help with the planning, set up, running the festival the day of, and cleaning up, they can always use more. Sholan Farm Orchard Manager Jay Kelley and his assistant were on hand for cleanup day along with 25 volunteers from National Grid.
“National Grid organizes a volunteer workday for their employees, they have been helping out for years,” DiNardo said. “In fact, we are hoping to recruit more work teams to help with projects.”
She wants to give a special thank you to Trout and Zimmerman, the Friends of Sholan Farms Board of Directors, and all the volunteers and staff “who worked tirelessly to prepare for the festival.”
“I am truly grateful to the crafters, entertainers, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, guests, and police who helped to create such a festive event,” DiNardo said. “One thing for sure, volunteers are the heartbeat of Sholan Farms.”
She said she enjoys being part of the crew that works throughout the year “to make Sholan Farms a safe welcoming community owned orchard that everyone can enjoy.”
“I am honored and humbled to be a member of the Friends of Sholan Farms,” DiNardo said. “For me it is about sharing the Sholan magic with the entire community.”
For more information including year-round volunteer opportunities call 978-840-3276 or email info@sholanfarms.com, visit sholanfarms.com, and follow Sholan Farms on Facebook and Instagram.
