a recap from our Bird & Barn Chair…
The 8th annual Bird & Barn was once again a beautiful event and the most successful one to date! For the first time, the event was held on the weekend at Black Fox Farms. Over 500 guests came to enjoy the shopping, food, and fun. The weather was absolutely perfect this year, and I’ll admit that I’m already praying about the weather for next year!
This event seeks to find vendors who have unique, artisan goods with a hand crafted or hand designed component. This year’s lineup of vendors was some of the best I’ve ever seen. Their creativity, ingenuity, and hard work was on display with some really great items. They are also some of the nicest people to talk with!
Free 2 Fly not only sells their amazing products at their own booth in the barn, they are also responsible for the booths around the courtyard. The fresh flowers from the Queen Bud, The Cake Nest, The Popcorn Bar, The Propagation Station, souvenir t-shirts, and the food all benefit Free 2 Fly, and they continue to be some of the most popular places to visit. This was the first year for souvenir Bird & Barn t-shirts, and they were a hot item. I can’t wait to see next year’s design! Another new addition this year was the silent auction, which took place online, but the items were available for viewing in a glamping tent, which was also one of the items to bid on. The auction was very successful this year and we are already brainstorming ideas to bring it back for next year!
Early Bird guests got to enjoy the magic of Black Fox Farms in the evening, with music from a jazz quartet, appetizers, and first dibs on the shopping. I’ve noticed that’s when the serious shoppers come! Early Bird and Premium ticket holders receive a gift with their package, and this year it was the most beautiful carved wooden bird ornament. The ornament was designed by Cameron Sedgwick and created by Jack Richmond and Beverly Price. I haven’t put my Christmas tree up yet, but I’m looking forward to hanging this beautiful piece of craftsmanship on the tree.
This event is one I look forward to all year long, but it would not come together without the many hands that work countless hours to make it happen. Many thanks go to the staff, board of directors, and especially the Bird & Barn committee. This bright, creative group of volunteers gives up a lot of their fall hours to make this event happen out of their love for the work that Free 2 Fly is doing in the lives of women. I also want to thank our generous Community Partners for underwriting this event, and the volunteers who come to work a shift during the event, serving cake, greeting guests, and making the event run smoothly. Lastly, I need to thank my partner in crime, President and CEO, Hailey Johnston. None of the Bird & Barn magic would happen without her inventiveness, resourcefulness, and willingness to serve.
Go ahead and mark your calendars, because we’re already thinking of ways to make next year’s Bird & Barn bigger and better!
The 9th annual Bird & Barn will take place on
October 14th and 15th in 2022.
I hope to see you there!
Keenon Hulton
Bird & Barn Chair
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