Celebrate park's 2008 opening a little early

Although Primrose Farm Park will not officially open to the public until next year, you will have a chance to get a sneak peek on Sunday.

Hosted by the St. Charles Park Foundation, the inaugural Primrose Farm Park Frolic will raise funds to support the purchase of dairy cows, draft horses, sheep and chickens for Primrose Farm Park, which is planned to open in 2008 as a 1930s living history dairy farm.

"The final plan for the farm is to have a farm park that is still in operation," explained Primrose Park Farm Manager Kirk Bunke.

Final plans include actual farming with draft horses and 1930s model steel wheel tractors.

The Farm Frolic will feature a variety of autumn activities including a straw maze, face painting, making caramel apples, pumpkin painting, and a Clydesdale horse-drawn hayride.

In addition guests may participate in a unique event called the Pumpkin Toss, in which participants launch two pumpkins with a sling shot at a their target -- a scarecrow.

Anyone who hits the scarecrow will be entered into a drawing to win various prizes, including Pottowatomie Pool and miniature golf passes. The drawing will be held at a later date.

Yardage signs will also be placed throughout the Pumpkin Toss so participants can also measure the distance of their launch.

"If you don't have good enough aim to hit a scarecrow, you can have a competition with your mom or dad," said St. Charles Park District Public Relations and Marketing Manager Erika Young.

Traditional folk artist Mark Dvorak is also scheduled to perform.

The St. Charles Park District is hoping to have a grand opening for Primrose Farm Park in the fall of 2008.

Park officials are hoping it will be a common destination for families as well as for field trips, scouting groups and other community organizations.

The family event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Primrose Farm Park, located on Bolcum Road west of Crane Road. Admission is free, but a small fee will be charged for activities.

Call (630) 584-1055 for more information.