Howell Living History Farm will hold its 33rd annual Plowing Match on Saturday, Sept. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A dozen teams of draft animals from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York are entered in the match, which tests the performance of farmers, their horses and oxen.
Members of the general public, including youngsters, can win ribbons by plowing in visitor classes beginning at 10:30 a.m. Classes are for ages 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16 & up. No experience is necessary.
Trophies and ribbons to winners of all classes will be presented at 1:15 p.m.
Pony rides, wagon rides, an obstacle course driving competition and music by the Jugtown Mountain String Band are also planned. At noon, hungry plowers and visitors can lunch on roast pork sandwiches, a chicken barbecue, kosher franks, and local potatoes and sweet corn.
Rain date for the event is Saturday, Sept. 10.
Howell Living History Farm is owned by the County of Mercer and maintained by the Mercer County Park Commission. It is located on Valley Road, just off Route 29, in Hopewell Township. The GPS address is 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530. Parking and admission are free.
For more information, call the farm office at (609) 737-3299 or visit www.howellfarm.org or www.mercercountyparks.org.
