Picnic and Carriage Driving Competition to Be Held at Newbury’s Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm

The Myopia Driving Club will hold the Picnic Classic on June 6 at Historic New England’s Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury, Mass. Held rain or shine, this free event will combine carriage driving with the fun of a weekend picnic. 

The schedule of events is as follows: 

• 9:00 Driving obstacle course with cones (three cones classes)
• 11:00 – 12:30 Picnic contest with judging beginning at noon
• 1:00 Driving obstacle course followed by cross-country course (timed obstacles and pace)

Spectators are encouraged, and anyone can enter the picnic contest–bring a card table, chairs, and an elegant lunch! Food historian and nutritionist Joe Carlin will judge the picnics, and participants should expect him to sample some of the menu. 

During the carriage driving portions of the event, drivers will take their equines through timed courses that test their speed, agility, and endurance. 

The Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm is a family-friendly 230-acre site that features a manor house built in 1690. The farm offers fun for everyone–from history buffs to kids excited to see the sheep, goats, chickens, and other barnyard animals. The event will be held during Historic New England’s Open House Day, and tours will be available for free beginning at 11:00 AM. 

Historically, carriage driving has been a leisure activity in addition to a mode of transportation.  Many modern carriage driving shows include a picnic competition, since picnics are a natural fit as a historical recreational activity. 

The Myopia Driving Club is excited to partner with Historic New England to celebrate carriage driving traditions and the historic Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm. You can learn more about the event and submit an entry form at myopiadriving.com