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Open Farm Day at Shaker Village on July 24

sheep and barn

Visitors of all ages will enjoy meeting the Shakers’ flock of more than 40 sheep, as well as learning from Brother Arnold Hadd the on-going history of farming at Shaker Village. Photo courtesy of United Society of Shakers

On Sunday, July 24, from noon until 4:30 p.m., Shaker Village will participate in the statewide “Maine Open Farm Day” – an afternoon of free special events for the whole family. More than 150 farms throughout the State of Maine join in this one day celebration of agriculture and farming. Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village is among the oldest farms in Maine still operated under the same management, since 1783. See Scottish highland cattle, a flock of more than 40 sheep, bees, barn cats, apple orchards, herb and vegetable gardens.
 
Featured activities of the day include guided tours of the 1830 barns by Brother Arnold Hadd, tractor-drawn wagon rides, honey bee display and hives, tours of the Shakers’ historic herb gardens, and traditional craft demonstrations: woodcarving, blacksmithing, yarn spinning, chair seat weaving, “Lamb to Loom” demonstration, rug hooking, tin-type photography demonstration and sale. Additionally, there is going to be a bake sale and a plant sale, plus barbecue lunch plates are available for purchase.
 
The Shaker Store and Shaker Museum Visitors’ Center are both open. Book signings by Chris Becksvoort– The Shaker Legacy, Mary Doyle -Unique Maine Farms, and Don Perkins- Barns of Maine are taking place. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see parts of Shaker Village that are not regularly open to the public. Bring your cameras.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village is located at 707 Shaker Road (Route 26) in New Gloucester.  For more information please contact  207-926-4597info@maineshakers.comwww.maineshakers.com, or follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/SabbathdayLakeShakerVillage