I cannot do better for this column than offer readers the poster information for a great family event being offered by the nonprofit Walk On in Barrington.
All of the activities scheduled for Oct. 8 promise a traffic jam at the corner of Hart and Cuba roads in Barrington! Walk On, which provides equine assisted activities for children, adults and seniors with developmental disabilities, is hosting a Country Fair from 1 to 5 p.m. with free admission.
Game tickets can be purchased online at a discount or at the game booths during the fair. If you purchase online, you will receive a receipt to bring with you.
The fair will include pony rides, an inflatable obstacle course, a petting zoo, a dunk tank, balloons and a host of carnival games.
But the pumpkin carving and painting contest has a different twist. Interested participants will be able to carve or paint pumpkins before coming to the event! The pumpkins then will be displayed on the day of the fair in four different age categories – preschool through kindergarten, kindergarten through third grade, fourth grade through eighth grade, and ninth grade and up.
The pumpkins also can be voted on. Every winner from the different age categories will receive a trophy once the winners are announced at 4 p.m. during the day of the fair.
And if you know of a company or organization that might be interested in sponsoring a booth or activity during the fair, you can contact Walk On at walkonfarm@comcast.net or call 847-381-4231.
In the 10 years of its existence, Walk On has provided fully certified equine assisted therapy activities to people of all ages, from the young to the elderly who have different levels and types of disabilities. Many bonds have been created between humans and horses through the programs at Walk On.
The animals themselves are gentle and sensitive, seemingly attuned to the needs of the many different riders that they carry. But they are well-cared for and loved, and never over-used.
I always find it a joy to see them grazing together in their pastures as I round the corner of Cuba and Hart roads. Walk On holds a special place in Barrington’s equine history.
And on Oct. 8, you can come to the fair and see for yourselves!
Barbara Benson is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press. Contact her at barbaralbenson@aol.com.
