A little rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of partygoers at Hale Farm’s second annual Barn Party Saturday evening. Angela Broholm welcomed guests and Carol Knight offered mint juleps in recognition of Kentucky Derby day.
The party was a time for blue jeans and cowboy boots as guests traversed to the barn, where the Stumpy Basin Volunteers provided toe-tapping music. Chris Gilley, Jim Noonan, Tim and Kimberly Winter, Cathy Kepley and Sue Irving enjoyed the bluegrass sounds.
At the buffet, Linda Lettler recommended the broccoli salad, while guests enjoyed shrimp and grits, pulled pork sandwiches, Kentucky Burgoo soup and bourbon meatballs served by Totally Cooked. The mini hot brown sandwiches, made famous at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Ky., were a guest favorite.
Chris Mullan served Ohio wines from M Cellars of Geneva.
“The grapes are grown right on the estate in Geneva,” Mullan said.
Enjoying the buffet were John and Cyndee Debo, Howard Tuber, Chuck and Pam Reitz, Julie Barnett, Jay and Linda Lettler and their daughter, Elizabeth.
The rain curtailed wagon rides, but guests could wander down to the Sugar House and watch Kyle Kukwa make pottery. Guests also bet on horses at Derby Squares.
“I don’t know much about horses so I just chose a white horse with a pretty face,” Mary Ann Krejci told Libby Upton as they placed their bets.
“I’m not the sheriff, I’m the marshall,” insisted Dan Mosher as he pointed out his badge to his wife, Martha, as they looked over the silent auction along with Jim Noonan, Tom and Cheryl Hughey, and Gary and Nancy Klein.
Tom Giffels, Elizabeth Campbell, Kathie VanDevere, Jim and Janet Mungo and Barbara Crucs enjoyed the dessert bar, which featured cookies decorated as the farm’s animals.
Upcoming events at Hale Farm include the Sow and Grow Farm Festival June 10-11 and Music in the Valley Folk and Wine Festival July 8-9.