Village News

Our final summer festival, Fall on the Farm, takes place on Monday, September 1, from 10am-5pm. This is a one-day event to remember and celebrate autumn activities in pioneer times.

One of those activities that quickly comes to mind is threshing. Our threshing machine has been maintained and the sheaves are in the yard. All we need yet is good weather and a few volunteers to pitch the sheaves.

Another activity which draws a lot of attention is hog and chicken butchering. The hog carcass will be delivered from a local abattoir and cut up into pork chops, roasts, bacon, etc. Sausage will be made and smoked on site, and cracklings (Jreewe) and ribs (Rebbspaea) will be cooked in large outdoor cauldrons (Mieagropes). The chicken-butchering demonstration will include plucking, eviscerating and cutting of the meat.

It is in fall when gardens prove their worth. Fruits and vegetables are picked and preserved. Seeds are gathered for next year’s gardens. We will offer an interesting and informative demonstration of cucumber pickling. The Steinbach and Area Garden Club will again present a workshop on harvesting vegetable seeds and preparing the garden for winter.

MHV festivals are becoming well known for their children’s entertainment. This year’s Fall on the Farm will uphold that tradition. Children will have the opportunity to enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, barrel-train rides, pony rides, the petting zoo, bouncers, stories, face painting and entertainment in the Children’s Tent by Mr. Ken.

Our Main Stage will feature well-known acts such as 3MP, The Rock Ridge Pickers and Walk the Line. In addition to the usual ethnic foods offered at our festivals, Fall on the Farm will offer deep-fried apple fritters and corn on the cob. This may also be the last opportunity this year to enjoy an MHV waffle with vanilla sauce.

Anyone wishing to volunteer at Fall on the Farm should call 204-326-9661 and ask for Blayne.