Jack McCarty, left, of Hagerstown poses with the family's scarecrow and his granddaughter Brooklyne Kephart, of Church Creek Maryland, Saturday during the Harvest Hoedown at Hagerstown's Fairgrounds Park. (By Joe Crocetta/Staff Photographer) |
Ernesto Cruz held the nylons while his 6-year-old son, Ian, stuffed two gangly legs full of straw.
Ian's brother Derek, 3, busied himself trying to remove each stalk of grain from his father's hair and clothes. In a straw-covered field with dozens of families crafting scarecrows, it was a formidable task.
The three, along with Ernesto's wife, Erika Almaraz, and daughter Allison Cruz, 2, celebrated the autumn season Saturday at Harvest Hoedown at Fairgrounds Park.
Almaraz, of Hagerstown, said the event offered her family an opportunity to participate in some fall traditions.
"This is an activity the whole family can enjoy together," Almaraz said. "I think it's nice."
Saturday marked the 10th year for Harvest Hoedown, which was hosted by the city of Hagerstown. The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Antietam Cable Television, PNC Bank, Sprint and the Maryland Apple Promotion Board provided sponsorship.
Karen Giffin, the city's director of community affairs, said 400 or 500 people attended the hoedown in its early years. The event since has grown in its scope of activities, and it draws crowds of about 3,000 people. Giffin credited community partnerships for the event's success.
"When we have partners, we are always much more successful," Giffin said. "Hosting events like this is part of having a more livable community. There is a better quality of life when people have things to do."
Entities such as the Community Free Clinic and the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Parents Guild received donations from the city, Giffin said. In turn, they provided services at the hoedown such as scarecrow making and face painting, respectively.
Other activities included musical entertainment by Country Showcase of America Jamboree, an extensive petting zoo, pony rides, hay rides and barrel rides, all free of charge.
The first 1,000 children at the event got a free pumpkin, and 750 others received an apple. A community yard sale in the park stables started at 7 a.m. and continued into the afternoon.
Kristina and Eric Woolman of Hagerstown took their daughter Natalia, 2, to the hoedown.
"(Natalia) took her first pony ride," Kristina Woolman said. "I like (the hoedown). It's definitely great for kids."
Heidi Cleveland and her husband, Charlie Tressler, of Hagerstown, attended the event with their children in past years and returned again this year. Their daughter Abbey Cleveland, 10, also rode a pony. She then picked out dressy clothes for her scarecrow, which she planned to name Sarah.
"She is going to be cute," Abbey said. "This is so much fun. It is awesome to be here."
Cindy Garland, director of marketing at Antietam Cable Television, emceed the event. Garland said festivities like the hoedown are a "credit to the city."
"This is the kind of thing that makes Hagerstown an amazing place to live," Garland said. "Everyone involved deserves a pat on the back, including the people who come out and support it."
Ian's brother Derek, 3, busied himself trying to remove each stalk of grain from his father's hair and clothes. In a straw-covered field with dozens of families crafting scarecrows, it was a formidable task.
The three, along with Ernesto's wife, Erika Almaraz, and daughter Allison Cruz, 2, celebrated the autumn season Saturday at Harvest Hoedown at Fairgrounds Park.
Almaraz, of Hagerstown, said the event offered her family an opportunity to participate in some fall traditions.
"This is an activity the whole family can enjoy together," Almaraz said. "I think it's nice."
Saturday marked the 10th year for Harvest Hoedown, which was hosted by the city of Hagerstown. The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Antietam Cable Television, PNC Bank, Sprint and the Maryland Apple Promotion Board provided sponsorship.
Karen Giffin, the city's director of community affairs, said 400 or 500 people attended the hoedown in its early years. The event since has grown in its scope of activities, and it draws crowds of about 3,000 people. Giffin credited community partnerships for the event's success.
"When we have partners, we are always much more successful," Giffin said. "Hosting events like this is part of having a more livable community. There is a better quality of life when people have things to do."
Entities such as the Community Free Clinic and the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Parents Guild received donations from the city, Giffin said. In turn, they provided services at the hoedown such as scarecrow making and face painting, respectively.
Other activities included musical entertainment by Country Showcase of America Jamboree, an extensive petting zoo, pony rides, hay rides and barrel rides, all free of charge.
The first 1,000 children at the event got a free pumpkin, and 750 others received an apple. A community yard sale in the park stables started at 7 a.m. and continued into the afternoon.
Kristina and Eric Woolman of Hagerstown took their daughter Natalia, 2, to the hoedown.
"(Natalia) took her first pony ride," Kristina Woolman said. "I like (the hoedown). It's definitely great for kids."
Heidi Cleveland and her husband, Charlie Tressler, of Hagerstown, attended the event with their children in past years and returned again this year. Their daughter Abbey Cleveland, 10, also rode a pony. She then picked out dressy clothes for her scarecrow, which she planned to name Sarah.
"She is going to be cute," Abbey said. "This is so much fun. It is awesome to be here."
Cindy Garland, director of marketing at Antietam Cable Television, emceed the event. Garland said festivities like the hoedown are a "credit to the city."
"This is the kind of thing that makes Hagerstown an amazing place to live," Garland said. "Everyone involved deserves a pat on the back, including the people who come out and support it."
