Maasdam Barns to host Barnyard Bash Sept. 9

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce invites the public to celebrate the area’s agricultural community at this year’s Barnyard Bash.

The Barnyard Bash will be held on Friday, Sept. 9 at Maasdam Barns on the south side of Fairfield, just south of the Jefferson County Health Center.

Jefferson County Farm Bureau and Agri-Industrial Plastics Company are sponsoring this year’s event, which will last from 4:30-8:30 p.m. with ag-related booths and plenty of activities including a bounce house, tractor-cade, horse-drawn wagon rides, and barrel train rides.

Members of the Maasdam Barns Preservation Committee have planned an evening of demonstrations showing vintage agricultural practices. From 4:30-5:30, members will demonstrate corn shelling and grinding. The public is also invited to visit the working windmill installed last year and the nearby tank full of goldfish. At another booth, members will be making jump rope by hand.

At 5:30 p.m., Jefferson County Farm Bureau will make a presentation. After the presentation, committee members and volunteers will demonstrate the Louden hay carrier by moving bales of hay into the second story of a barn.

After the Louden hay carrier demonstration, the public will have a second chance to see corn shelling and grinding, and learn about the windmill.

Leon Connelly, vice president of the Maasdan Barns Preservation Committee, said there will be horses in the Mare Barn, a favorite stop for children.

“This year, we’re excited to also have the Iowa Corn Council’s trailer that explains ethanol,” he said. “That’s where we’ll have our corn shelling. We are looking more into education, to bridge the gap between the children of today and their great-grandparents so they can see what they had to do to make a living.”

There will be a giant bubble making activity as well as big coloring activity at the Chamber booth. Food will be available at the event for purchase. The Jefferson County Cattlemen's Association and the Jefferson County Pork Producers will have meals available.

“Don’t miss your chance to see a helicopter, police cars, and fire trucks along with tractors and a petting zoo,” stated the news release from the chamber.

Parking is available at the Jefferson County Health Center parking lot; a shuttle service will be available to take event attendees directly to the barns.

There still is time to sign up to host a booth or sponsor part of the event. Contact Mendy McAdams to be included at chamber@fairfieldiowa.com.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com