Windy Rafters Barn will have a blacksmith demonstration during Alberta Open Farm Days.
Historic Windy Rafters Barn is opening its doors once again to visitors for Open Farm Days.
Homesteaded in 1905 and now operated by the sixth generation of the family, Windy Rafters Barn has a full day of activities set for Saturday, Aug. 16.
Alberta Open Farms Days is intended to promote agri-tourism and rural sustainability.
Farm, ranch and agri-food operations open their doors to bring people together for educational and experiential agricultural-based activities that show where food comes from.
Windy Rafters Barn near Orton is one of hundreds of participating farms and businesses in the annual celebration of Alberta agriculture.
Monty Orr and his wife Ronalee Bennett Orr invite people to learn about local history and agriculture.
“Our favourite focus is on what life was like when the area was homesteaded in 1905,” the Orrs said.
The Orrs will provide tours of the 1910 work horse barn, the 1905 one-room Orton school, a replica 1905 homestead cabin, and the weaving shed.
Visitors can also climb on the hay wagon for a tour of the farm to learn some of its history.
Free activities and tours get under way at 10 a.m. Saturday Aug. 16 and continue to 4 p.m.
Activities planned by the Orr family will include:
- Historic walking tour of the original 1905 Orton one-room school, the workhorse barn and the replica homestead cabin.
- Blacksmith demonstrations.
- Hands-on milking experience with a fake cow.
- Target shoot with a rifle that fires elastics.
- Farm zoo.
- Stick calf-roping.
- Horseshoes.
- History-related hay wagon ride.
- Hands-on rope making activity.
- Pony rides (by donation).
- Kids’ wagon train rides.
- An obstacle course.
- Bouncy castle.
- Possible harvesting combine ride dependent on the weather and crop.
Lunch of barbecued beef on a bun, corn on the cob, green salad and beverage will be sold at the concession.
Windy Rafters Barn is 10 kilometres east of Fort Macleod at 93033 Range Road 250.
Visit albertaopenfarmdays.ca for information about Open Farm Days and other participating farms and businesses.
