By Sue Moore
A farm theme, with music, art, very large farm machinery and food will come to Vicksburg Aug. 25 when Destination Rural America – Daylight/Twilight takes over the Historic Village.
The event will be presented by three village organizations: the Cultural Arts Center, Farmers Market and Historical Society. The afternoon events are scheduled from 1-4 p.m.
Music? At Farm Yard Percussion Combustion, kids will learn to make music using items found on farms said Syd Bastos, executive director of the Cultural Arts Center (VCAC).
Art? Located in the red barn at the village will be a display of barn art photography by Sam Zomer, pastels by Helen Kleczynski and pencil by Kevin Pederson.
Besides the drumming, children and adults can inspect huge farm equipment, part of the way farming is done today. The Ben Fritz farm in Fulton along with other large-scale farmers in the area will be bringing, oversized corn planting machines, harvesting equipment, and big tractors for display at the Historic Village.
Kalamazoo Aerial Media will be demonstrating a drone, one of the tools used in larger farming operations today. Storytelling and musical performances will take place at the Gazebo. The Historical Society will have the buildings open in the Historic Village with docents on hand to show what rural America was like in the 1900s. Popcorn and lemonade will be available during this free event.
John Kern, board member of the Vicksburg Farmers Market, said that a greater divide stands between our rural and urban lifestyles than was there decades ago. At the same time, an energized local food economy has placed a new value on the vital role farmers play in all our lives.
Destination Rural America – Daylight/Twilight will celebrate our local farmers with a Farm-to-Table small plate dining experience at the Community Pavilion from 7 to 9 p.m.
Tickets for that event are priced at $40 each and will include a selection of wines from Lawton Ridge Winery in Oshtemo and beers from Distant Whistle Brewhouse in Vicksburg. The vendors at the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market will be supplying many of the ingredients for small plate items to pair with the beverages. Items in season at the end of August will likely be peaches, tomatoes, sweet corn, squash, salad fixings, homemade bread and pie fillings.
Michael Moore, chef and co-owner of Main Street Pub will be preparing the food. With many wonderful fresh options and Michael’s talents, this dining experience should be a very special treat. To add to the twilight event, Darcy Wilkin, co-host of Grass Roots on WMUK and a member of Corn Fed Girls, will be performing.
Tickets for the dinner will be available at the Farmers’ Market on Fridays, at Distant Whistle Brewhouse, the Depot Museum on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. or at vicksburgarts.com.