The Celebration of Spring!
2007 News Release:
Historic Bowens Mills "The Celebration of Spring" Begins with their Annual Spring Plow Day. A family fun filled Saturday & Sunday that begins in "The Bowens Mills Gathering Place", with springtime photos printed while you wait. And continues throughout the historical park with outdoor springtime activities. Hours are Saturday & Sunday April 21 & 22 noon to 5pm.
Saturday the "Old Fashioned Plow Day" begins with The Teams of draft horses plowing in the morning for all of the visitors to watch. There will be several teams of draft horses & plowing demonstrations though out the day followed by a barnyard pull in the afternoon. In the past there have been as many as 21 teams of horses plowing and they come to the mill to plow, from all over the state of Michigan.
All through history the planting of the fields and large farming tasks brought people together to lighten the work and make it more enjoyable. Plowing the soil in springtime at Historic Bowens Mills brings together groups of friends and neighbors lending a helping hand in preparing the ground and planting seeds for an assured good crop in the harvest season.
It is a weekend to come and spend time at the farmstead of Historic Bowens Mills and experience the beauty of draft animals at work in the field. A time to share in the pleasure of celebrating spring and the plowing of the fields, with people interested in teaching and learning the skills, and to enjoy the beauty of their work.
"It is a yearly, celebration of the spring turning of fertile soils that began here in 1992" said co owner Carleen Sabin. "If you have a team and would like to join in our Annual Spring Plow Day, Please come, we'd enjoy having you here."
Sunday see sheep shearing demonstrations on Sunday Jerry Pepper of Allegan will be doing sheep shearing demonstrations in the farm area, located by the post and beam barn.
"The Celebration of Spring" will feature, Living History Day, with re-enactors from the Civil War Era in the Historical Park. "The Gathering Place" will feature: Springtime photos by Bowens Mills Studios. There will be live baby animals for the children to enjoy in the historical park that include, baby chicks, calves, and lambs, as well as other farm animals including miniature horses, ducks, chickens, a llama and many more.
Inside "The Bowens Mills Gathering Place", there will be "The Miller's Wife Store". & Bowens Mills Studios Photographer will be on hand for Children & Family Spring Portraits. The Photo CD's are available at a cost $25.00.
There is no admission charge to the Gathering Place. There is only a $2 admission to the historical park that includes a free horse drawn wagon ride and a barnyard horse pull at 4pm on Saturday. Other attractions in the park are the mountain men at the "Fork River Trappers Trading Post", along with corn meal grinding demonstrations at the Old 1864 Grist Mill, woodworking in the "Ye Ole Craft Shoppe" and the 1850s one room Moe school house and the 1840s Plank house will also be open.
The location is 2 Miles North of Yankee Springs State Park on Briggs Road - near Gun Lake. Phone: 269-795-7530 - Web: www.bowensmills.com
Celebration of Spring! Historic Bowens Mills: Co-Sponsored by Bowens Mills Studios. Featuring: Special Spring displays in The Bowens Mills Gathering Place, along with live baby animals in the historical park for the children see chicks, lambs & much more. Children's & Family Springtime Portraits available, by Bowens Mills Studios. No admission charge to "The Gathering Place". Admission into the park $2.00, includes free horse drawn ride. Saturday & Sunday, Noon - 5:00 PM. Call: 269-795-7530 or Visit: www.bowensmills.com
Bowens Mills Studios is also accepting appointments for Children's, Family and Senior Portraits. Photographer: Carleen Sabin Entrance Location: 55 Briggs Rd. Middleville, MI 49333 We specialize in: Custom Digital Photography, Digital Printing & Artwork Studio: 269-795-1254 Mill: 269-795-7530 Home
Celebration of Spring is a fund raising event for the park. Historic Bowens Mills is a privately owned state historic sight. They receive no support from the government. It is a visitor and volunteer supported park. All of the people you see demonstrating, performing, and working are volunteering their time so that the park can continue.
It is the goal of the Sabin's and their parent before them, along with the volunteer family involved at Bowens Mills to preserve history and a place in time. So that families can be entertained and enjoy each others company, as in the days of "yester years".
There is no Admission fee to the Gathering Place for "The Celebration of Spring". The Belgian Draft horses will be on hand for wagon rides and the historical park will be open. Tickets into the park or for the wagon rides are $2.00 a person. Historic Bowens Mills is second generation family owned and operated state historic site. Their mission is to preserve the history of days gone by for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
The Old & Majestic Mill is located Midway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Near Yankee Springs (Gun Lake) State Park in the heart of beautiful Yankee Springs Township
If you want more information or are interested in volunteering your time, or sharing your craft in one of the historical buildings during events Call: 269-795-7530 or visit http://www.bowensmills.com/
