‘Hey!’ – Hay Day/Play Day is on tap at the Yamhill County Historical Society

The 2024 installment of Hay Day/Play Day, the Yamhill County Historical Society’s annual demonstration of the techniques used by farmers more than a century ago, is approaching fast.

The event, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 22 at the Yamhill Valley Heritage Center at 11275 S.W. Durham Lane in McMinnville, promises “demonstrations of hay harvesting techniques and equipment performed by draft animals and vintage machinery,” a release from the organization said. “Demonstrators will recreate the process of making loose hay with horses and mules, as done in the late 1800s and early 1900s.”

The harvesting techniques on display include mowing, tedding, raking, operating a hay loader, manually putting up shocks of hay and loading wagons, using a buck rake powered by animals and operating a hay derrick.

“One piece of antique equipment that will in use is a stationary hand-tie baler,” the release said, “and there will be interpretive hayrides so you can learn what each piece of equipment is doing as it works.”

Also on hand will be blacksmith and sawmill demonstrations, music from the Oregon Old-Time Fiddlers and a bluegrass jam session, family friendly activities, food and more.

“In addition to the traditional hay harvesting, we have added some new activities,” Heather Farquhar, executive director of the historical society, said. “Visitors will learn more about the types of hay that exist and a variety of things it can be used to create.”

Activities new to the event this year, Farquhar said, include an interactive pulley system with hay bales, hays use in bedding and Celtic Heritage Alliance athletes will demonstrate and discuss the history of the Scottish games sheaf toss event.

Admission is $5 per car. For more information, visit www.yamhillcountyhistory.org , email office@yamhillcountyhistory.org or phone 503-472-2842. For more information on the haying demonstrations in particular, call Wayne Beckwith at 503-899-0123 or email him at wb.muleskinner@gmail.com.