The Children’s Room Barn Dance
October 7, 2022 | Photos by Gordon Miller The last time The Children’s Room hosted its annual Barn Dance was 2019. The school where the nonprofit is based had a different name and many of today’s room regulars weren’t even born. It also was before anyone had heard of COVID-19 or knew much about pandemics.
After a three-year hiatus, the popular fall event catering to families with babies and preschool-aged children returned to Tony and Joan Beard’s Barn on Barnes Hill late last month. Some 150 youngsters and their grownups turned out.
There were ponies to ride, cows to meet, dancing of course to live music, face-painting and games to play, and even hayrides despite persisting drizzle.
Organizers say they surpassed their $3,000 fundraising goal thanks to generous sponsors. And even though attendance was a little less than they recall from years past, a good time was had by those with fond memories of barn dances past and those just discovering the magical spot and fall tradition on Barnes Hill.
The Children’s Room thanks its financial and in-kind sponsors: Fairfield by Marriott, Neighborhood Savings Group, Pack and Send Plus, The Alchemist, Colley Strategy, Wells Fargo, Northern Lights Family Chiropractic, Crossroads Beverages & Deli, PK Coffee, Woodstock Farmers’ Market, Mount Mansfield Dentistry, The Tiny Acorn, The Roots Farm Market, Cabot Creamery, Red Hen Baking Co., The Swimming Hole, Stowe Cider, Shaws, Brave Coffee and Tea, Stowe Street Cafe, K.C.'s Bagel Cafe, Evergreen Gardens of Vermont, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Guys' Farm and Yard, Hartshorn's Farm.
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