Beautiful days and family-friendly events are in store for all outdoor, farm and fall-weather fans in Yukon.
The Mollie Spencer Farm, 1001 Garth Brooks Blvd., has announced its roster of fall events. This includes some fan favorites in addition to new events to help celebrate the season.
Mollie Spencer Farm’s fall open house will be 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 when the public is invited to learn more about the farm’s various activities.
Visitors will see the pollinator garden, vegetable garden and apiary; and meet sheep, donkeys, horses, and longhorns.
Guests are welcome to wander around 33 acres via a self-guided tour to visit each station. They are encouraged to come explore and ask questions.
A new Morning Conversation Series will be 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at Mollie Spencer Farm. This will cover composting, fall vegetable gardening and winterizing outdoor space.
A Monarch Festival returns from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 at Mollie Spencer Farm.
This family-friendly festival will feature plenty of fun activities that focus on supporting monarch migration – such as crafts, face painting, and presentations by gardening experts.
Guests will be able to enjoy the beauty of the Mollie Spencer Farm pollinator garden while learning how to plant a garden of their own that attracts and supports monarch butterflies.
EVENT SCHEDULE
- Fall Open House – Saturday, Sept. 16 (9-11 a.m.)
This family-friendly event will feature fun and informational stations sprinkled throughout that focus on different activities that happen at Mollie Spencer Farm. Guests will be able to go on a self-guided tour to various stations, meet the farm’s animals and learn about the farm’s refuge for naturally occurring wildlife and animal rescue programs. Light refreshments will be available.
- Morning Conversation Series – Saturday, Sept. 23 (9-10:30 a.m.)
Guests will enjoy three “mini” presentations from experts to learn about composting, fall vegetable gardening and winterizing outdoor spaces. Attendees will experience different parts of Mollie Spencer Farm as the group moves among presentations. There will be plenty of time for Q&A. Light refreshments (including coffee) will be available.
- Monarch Festival – Saturday, Sept. 30 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
The second annual Monarch Festival at the Mollie Spencer Farm will be a family-friendly event celebrating the monarch butterfly. The festival will feature monarch-related crafts for kids, a seed ball-making station, face painting, and so much more. Local gardening experts will be available to answer all questions about planting a garden that attracts and supports monarch butterflies.
- Chisholm Trail Festival – Saturday, Oct. 14 (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
The annual Chisholm Trail Festival, presented by the Chisholm Trail Historical Preservation Society, celebrates the western history of the famous Chisholm Trail. The festival is filled with living history re-enactors of the Old West, Civil War demonstrations, food vendors, craft booths, the Kids Korral, train and pony rides, and a petting zoo.
- Nature Walk: Native Trees – Saturday, Oct. 21 (9-10:30 a.m.)
This event will feature a guided nature walk around Mollie Spencer Farm focusing on native trees. Brian Dougherty, a licensed landscape architect and former director of Parks & Public Spaces at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, will lead the walk. Dougherty will share his knowledge while guests look at native trees found on the farm. This event involves walking on potentially uneven terrain, so participants should prepare accordingly.
- Fall Plant Swap – Saturday, Oct. 28 (10 a.m.)
Mollie Spencer Farm will host the Canadian County Master Gardeners’ annual fall plant swap. Attendees will receive a ticket for every plant they bring to “swap” for another plant. Participants should arrive at 9:30 a.m. to get their plants checked in and peruse the tables before the swap starts promptly at 10 a.m. They are encouraged to bring any perennials, vegetables, annuals, bulbs, and saplings.
- Bird Walk for Beginners – Saturday, Nov. 4 (8-10 a.m.)
This event aims to lessen the learning curve for new birders. Guided by experienced birders from the Oklahoma City Audubon Society, attendees will walk around the 33-acre property to find birds and discuss the basics of birding, including how to listen for bird calls and properly use binoculars. Attendees also will receive a Mollie Spencer Farm bird checklist, developed by the Ornithology Department at the Sam Noble Museum, so they can keep track of all the birds they see.
ABOUT THE FARM
The Mollie Spencer Farm is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization owned and operated by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund for the benefit of the city of Yukon and surrounding communities.
The Kirkpatrick Family Fund is an Oklahoma City philanthropy started in 1989 by John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick and is the largest affiliated fund in the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.
The Mollie Spencer Farm’s mission is to provide educational opportunities that promote animal well-being, support regional history, and celebrate a sense of community pride in Yukon.
Public access is only allowed during public events and scheduled activities. For more information, call (405) 767-3702 or visit Mollie Spencer Farm on Facebook.
