Evening Hayrides Return To Mercer County This Weekend

Evening hayrides return to Mercer County this weekend. The Mercer County Park Commission will offer Saturday evening hayrides at Howell Living History Farm on Saturday, July 14, and Saturday, July 21, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night.

The horse-drawn rides last 20 minutes, passing through the fields, fords and meadows of the 130-acre historical farm. Visitors also can enjoy self-guided tours, picnicking and a marshmallow roast. Parking and admission are free.

On the dates when evening hayrides are offered, the farm will be closed during the day. Milking demonstrations will take place on July 14, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Demonstrations include a chance to meet a 4-year-old milking shorthorn cow.

Visitors will learn about calving, milk production and milk processing. There also will be opportunities to help with evening barn chores. Programming for July 21 will include storytelling performances from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The evening hayrides are free and offered on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 150 visitors. Carriages begin departing from the barnyard at 5:15 p.m. Rides are for individual and family participation, with a one-ride-per-person limit. Groups cannot be accommodated.

A wheelchair-accessible wagon is also available. Individuals who would like to ride on this wagon should call 609-737-3299 in advance.

Howell Farm is owned by the County of Mercer and is maintained by the Mercer County Park Commission. The GPS address is 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530.

For more information, call the farm office at 609-737-3299 or visit www.howellfarm.org or www.mercercountyparks.org.

The attached image was provided: Visitors enjoy an evening hayride at the 130-acre Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township. Photo credit: Jeff Kelley