Frolicking on the farm, 1930s style

It doesn't matter how old a person is.

When it comes to launching a pumpkin from a sling across a freshly harvested corn field, they all say it's fun.

And for a small contribution, kids of all ages could see how far their gourds flew Sunday during the first Primrose Farm Frolic in St. Charles.

The St. Charles Park Foundation sponsored the event to raise money to buy livestock and other amenities for the farm. Located on Bolcum Road just west of Crane Road, Primrose eventually will be a farm functioning much like any farm in the 1930s, manager Kirk Bunke said.

The frolic aimed to let visitors know what the farm is all about.

"We're just hoping to introduce people to the farm," Bunke said. "If we can bring in a little revenue, that's great."

The farm's trails were started at the end of September and are still rough. People looking to avoid a walk took hayrides and were dropped off near the pumpkin toss, which drew people all day.

"Oh, that was fun! You don't get to do something like that every day," said Kaylyn Conover of St. Charles, after pulling back on the slingshot with both hands and launching her softball-size pumpkin about 150 feet.

Conover took the opportunity after her two children, Jaden, 6, and Zaren, 8, both Cub Scouts, launched pumpkins about 50 feet. Jaden bragged that one of his hit the ground and smashed to pieces.

"You have to pull really far back and then launch it," Jaden said. "One of mine got destroyed."

Other displays included banjo- and guitar-playing folk singer Mark Dvorak, face painting, making your own candy apples, a hay maze and a blacksmith.

Standing outside the blacksmith shed, with dark smoke from the coal billowing from a 1930s replica forge, Aiden and Greyson Kuester of South Elgin discussed how farmers had to fix their machines with parts made at their own forges.

Aiden, 4, said the coal was similar to the stuff used by Thomas the Tank Engine, and he would not want to touch the glowing orange metal before it was hammered on the anvil.

If plans come to fruition, the 183-acre Primrose Farm eventually will have a team of draft horses, cows, working farm demonstrations, a farmer's market and educational opportunities.