With hotdogs roasting on an open fire and Mrs. Claus reading holiday favourites in the hay barn, visitors immersed themselves in simple pleasures and the joy of life in the country at Christmas at the Farm at Sarah Parks Horsemanship.
The interactive, immersive horse farm experience, part of Windsor Parade Corporation’s Christmas in the County, offered a glimpse into life outside the city over the weekend.
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“I am six generations on this family homestead here outside of Malden Centre,” said Sarah Parks Saturday evening as guests were beginning to arrive at her Amherstburg farm.
“So it’s very near and dear to me, and I am beyond thrilled to be able to offer open gates, open barn doors for the community to come and experience a little piece of heritage, horses and the homestead.”
It’s the second year for Christmas in the County, which was held at Heritage Village last year and offered a winter wonderland with historical charm.
“We’ve worked with Sarah probably for the last 20-25, years,” said Maggie Durocher, executive director of Windsor Parade Corp.
“We were looking for a different type of location to launch this program this year, because it’s fully immersive, and it’s a program that gives people that wouldn’t typically have an opportunity to go to a farm … to have that experience.
“And the other thing that happens when we’re out here is we get to integrate horses and ponies and things into what we’re doing.”
Visitors can attend elf school, post a letter to Santa, hear a story read by Mrs. Claus, roast s’mores on an open fire, ride a pony or listen to live music.
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Of course, Santa Claus is waiting in the wood shed to hear all the Christmas wishes.
There’s no on-site parking so it’s down the road at the Malden Centre park, adjacent to Malden Central public school, on Country Road 20. A complementary shuttle brings visitors to the decked out horse farm.
“Once upon a time, if you didn’t live on a farm or grow up on a farm, you at least had perhaps an aunt or an uncle or maybe a grandma and a grandpa that did,” Parks said.
“We know that it is fewer and far between that this experience is available to people,” she added.
“So this is why I’m very passionate about being able to host this event where people can come and walk into an 1800s barn, smell the hay, feel the soft noses of the horses, hear the nickers, experience the magical lights that you know, the Windsor parade Corporation has curated for this Christmas experience.”
Christmas at the Farm continues Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., through Dec. 15 — except on parade days Nov. 23, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14.
Admission is $5, $15 per family.
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