Old Farmers Day

Fifteen thousand people will visit a forty-acre piece of private property near Loranger for the long-running event called Old Farmers Day. As the name implies, visitors can expect old-timey, farm-related activities—the authentic kind commonplace in rural communities in times gone by, but increasingly rare today. Barbara and Gerald Brunett have been either partially or fully responsible for organizing this event since 1973. The progeny of dairy farmers and farmers themselves, the Brunetts are intimately familiar with the common ingredients of farming life, several of which are represented each year during their weekend-long festival. Visitors should expect equal parts blacksmithing, butchering, sheep shearing, spinning, home cooking, and all things equine… including a horse-pulling contest (i.e. the horses pull heavy things; you don't have to pull the horses). Saturday night promises a live band, followed on Sunday morning by a church service hosted by Brother Randy Smith of the Loranger Cowboy Church. Held on Brunett Farms, 56136 Loranger Road, 2.25 miles north of Loranger. 10 am– 4pm each day (the gates open at 9 am). $10; free for children six and younger. Cash only. (985) 878-9343. oldfarmersday.com.