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By: Emily DuBois

On Sunday, September 8th the Pujols Family Foundation and the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City hosted a day of family fun at The Weston Red Barn Farm. The scorching 100° heat didn’t stop over 400 people from coming out to Weston, Missouri for the chance to experience a traditional working farmstead and to spend the day celebrating the final days of summer with family and friends.

Amongst the barn, farmer’s market, pavilion and stables stood heaping mounds of gourds and pumpkins, along with rows of bright green apple trees ripe for picking. Guests were invited to explore the farm at their own leisure and to participate in the many carnival-style games staffed by our wonderful volunteers.

It was all smiles and laughter as kids of all ages familiarized themselves with the animals who call the Red Barn Farm home, including miniature ponies, chickens, turkeys, goats, and a very friendly old horse named “Frog”. It truly was a beautiful sight to see the little ones bonding with the animals, petting their manes, and feeding them bits of hay and grass. Families also piled on to a tractor-pulled wagon full of hay bale seating for a tour of the rest of the farm property.

The children took their turn at a host of carnival games, competed in Wii games, played in the bouncy house and raced in zorbs—life-size inflatable bumper balls (see picture). A spread of sandwiches, chips, cookies, and drinks were provided for lunch. The final event—a watermelon eating contest—left kids with messy hands and bright, red smiles. After this exciting contest, the group continued to enjoy the farm before it was time to head home. Each family tried to make the most out of the hot but beautiful day outdoors before it was back to work the next day. As everyone packed up and headed home from this extra special Red Barn event, the children left with pumpkins in hand and smiles on their faces anxiously awaiting the next event.