Party on the Farm!

Tyler and I decided to throw a reception party in May to celebrate our wedding that took place back in December. We wanted the party to happen at our new farm, to serve as both a celebration of our marriage and a celebration of our new home (bonus points that it also fell on my birthday!). We decided to hold the party in the pole barn, which is the newest and cleanest barn on our property. The pole barn also had a cement floor, which was a plus, compared to the dirt floors in the other barns. Unfortunately, being the newest and cleanest barn did not mean it was anywhere near fit for a reception party. In fact, not only was the pole barn quite dirty, but it was full of farm equipment and other thingamabobs that were left from the previous owner as well. Cleaning out the barn would take several weeks, but we were determined.  

In April, when the weather started getting warmer, we began the removal of all the miscellaneous items (read garbage) from the barn. Perhaps the previous owners had thought it generous or helpful to leave all that stuff in the barn, but there was so much left that we had to rent yet another dumpster to remove everything, which meant another few hundred dollars out of our pockets. Ouch. Some memorable items that the owners so kindly gifted us was an old wetsuit with visible holes, several boxes full of old newspapers, a roll of old linoleum flooring, and a bright yellow paddle boat with a gaping hole in the bottom. I regret to say the paddle boat has not yet left the property.

The pole barn had previously been used as the main shop, where farm equipment was not only being stored in, but being repaired in as well. You can imagine then, that the floors were covered in grease, hay, and dust, and the walls were full of cobwebs and, of course, more hay and dust. With the help of both our parents on many occasions, we managed to remove all the other items from the barn. Once all the items were removed, Tyler and I, again with the help of both our parents, started the deep cleaning process. This entailed a thorough sweeping of the floor, not once, but twice. I believe we filled up a few garbage bags of just dust and other small particles. We then mopped the floors a few times, and spot treated the grease stains with a heavy degreaser. We wiped down the walls, and even used Windex on the windows. Eventually, we had to settle with the fact that due to the nature of the use of the building, it would never be 100% spotless, but for our purposes, it was good enough.

Before we knew it, the day of the party arrived. We started early that morning, making final preparations, which we could not have done without the help of our family and dear friend April. The tables and chairs were re-straightened and the place settings and centerpieces were added. The lighting (white Christmas lights!) and sound system were re-tested to make sure everything functioned properly. Some people were sent to get the ice, others the beverages, and others were tasked with picking up the food. We were ready.

The party officially began when the first car pulled in. As more people arrived, we encouraged people to take a self-guided tour around the farm, visit the house to check out the renovation process, and just relax in the company of others. Some people were playing badminton, others gathered around the watering hole (probably drawn there by the fact that we had a 3 keg selection of beer and a spread of tantalizing appetizers), and others hung out by the horses (Elmer the donkey was a great hit). People were spread out around the property, just as we had envisioned it. People were having a great time, and that in turn, made us very happy.

By 6 o’clock, dinner was ready to be served. We had ordered food from three different caterers in efforts to cater (pun intended) to the multi-ethnic crowd we had. In the end, everyone ate their full, plenty of food was leftover, and everyone made a concerted effort to make room for dessert. The evening organically concluded with dancing (which is where I spent most of my evening), and a nice bonfire gathering.

As people began trickling out and telling us what a wonderful time they had, we realized what a special place the farm could be. Though we weren’t quite able to express it yet, it seemed the farm had a magical way of drawing people in, allowing guards to come down, and providing a safe space for people to connect with each other and with nature. It was truly a wonderful day, and we were anxious for the next time to experience the magic again.