Something for all: Ironstone Derby 5K & Father’s Day Fun

Father’s Day is a day for everyone at Ironstone Farm in Andover.

Ironstone is hosting a charity event, the Ironstone Derby 5K & Father’s Day Fun, complete with 5K race with prizes for the top finishers, food, Pinewood Derby, stick-horse fun run, music, games and a horse-and-rider performance. Register to run, or just to come to the party here: https://register.chronotrack.com/r/37756.

Want to race Pinewood Derby cars? You can do so at the farm on Father’s Day! There will be a fun, no-rules-about-car-weight Pinewood Derby as part of the farm’s charity event on Sunday, June 17.

There will be different length stick-horse fun runs for kids 10 and younger. Decorate your own stickhorse, then take it home.

While runners and walkers can take on the 5K race, everyone is welcome. Many people come each year just for the party, which this year includes burgers and hotdogs and entertainment including a horse-and-rider performance set to music that pays tribute to fathers, a Dixieland band, bouncy-horse races, cornhole and more. The 5K race starts at 8:30 a.m., with the fun continuing until around 1 p.m.

All runners and walkers will receive a free burger and hotdog, or vegetarian option. Beer and other drinks will be available for purchase. It’s a great time for all ages, to raise money for the nonprofit programs at Ironstone Farm, 450 Lowell St. (Route 133) in Andover, supporting kids with special needs, veterans and others.

Come for the race, come for the fun, or do both at https://register.chronotrack.com/r/37756. The options are:

• $30 for 5K race/walk (before June 1, then $35), including tech shirt, burger and hotdog, Pinewood Derby wooden car race entry, games, horse-and-rider drill team performance, bouncy horse races, cornhole, Dixieland band, more.
• $20 for youth 5K entry with tech shirt, food, games (see above)
• $10 just for food and party: burger and dog, games, Pinewood Derby wooden car race entry, etc.
• $10 for stick-horse race (10 and younger), plus burger and dog, Pinewood Derby wooden car race entry, etc.
• $8 to add a Pinewood Derby car kit so you can build you own car for keeps.

With its two indoor riding areas and 19 acres, Ironstone Farm is open 12 months a year, six days a week, serving about 450 clients each week thanks to the help of about 200 weekly volunteers. On many Sundays, it offers special events, including free programs for veterans, people diagnosed with cancer, children with special needs seeking adoption and others. Ironstone also has a recreational riding program and summer horseback-riding and nature camps.

To register for the Ironstone Derby 5K race or to buy a food-and-fun pass to the post-race entertainment, visit https://register.chronotrack.com/r/37756. For information about Ironstone Farm and its programs visit www.ironstonefarm.org or email programs@challengeunlimited.org.

About Ironstone Farm

Ironstone Farm is home to two nonprofit programs that benefit children with special needs, veterans who have experienced trauma, people diagnosed with cancer and others. More than 200 people volunteer their time each week to help keep Ironstone Farm’s nonprofit programs running strong. [Ironstone Farm also offers recreational riding and summer riding and nature camps.] Clients come from more than 90 communities in Greater Boston, the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. Top doctors and major medical institutions refer clients to Ironstone Farm because of its successful programs and reputation.