First Farmers’ Harvest Ball Set For October

Guests invited to “eat a little pig, dance a little jig, and go whee, whee, whee all the way home!”

Three Clarke County non-profit groups are joining forces to bring the community the bounties of local harvest with the farmers who provide them. The Farmers’ Harvest Ball will be hosted by Berryville Main Street, Barns of Rose Hill, and the Clarke County Farmers’ Market at the Barns on Saturday, October 12, 2013.

“We wanted to collaborate on a party or activity that would bring the community together for an evening in Berryville, similar to the Blue Moon parties held in the past,” said Luanne Carey, director of Berryville Main Street. When the Farmers Market got involved, that “activity” became an event where local food will be provided by members of the market and prepared, for the most part, by Boyd’s Nest restaurant. Pulled pork and barbecued chicken and a variety of side dishes and desserts will be served, along with beer, wine, and soft drinks. After supper, “the Apple Valley Square dance club will give a square dancing demonstration and Rich Studman will call some dances for everyone to join the fun,” said Carey.

If eating good, locally grown food, mingling with friends and farmers, and dancing a jig isn’t incentive enough, proceeds from the event will be split evenly among the three groups, helping to fund the programs of each organization. The Barns of Rose Hill’s mission is to serve as a community center “celebrating life, the arts, and our culture,” according to its newly revamped website (www.barnsofrosehill.org). The Clarke County Farmers Market, going stronger than ever after 18 years, serves to support and promote local farmers by bringing their goods to one place for the community to purchase and enjoy, every Saturday from May through November. Berryville Main Street’s mandate is to encourage economic development, support local business, enhance community projects, and help beautify downtown Berryville.

Tickets cost $50, which includes two drink coupons for wine and beer, and may be purchased by contacting Carey at Berryville Main Street at 540-955-4001 or Kellie Hart or Morgan Morrison at Barns of Rose Hill at 540-955-2004. The Barns’ doors will open at 5pm for a mix and mingle; dinner will be served at 6pm, and dancing will commence at 7pm. The invite’s jingle is “eat a little pig, dance a little jig, and go whee, whee, whee all the way home!”

“We’re hoping the evening will be a fun, old-fashioned gathering to celebrate fall in Clarke County!” Carey enthused.

— Jennifer Lee