Seeing 80 members turn out for a new event would be solid win by any regular county Farm Bureau standard — but that was exactly the case at Shiawassee County’s inaugural late-winter Barn Dance.
But here’s the thing: That was 10 years ago and attendance has only increased steadily since then.
This year a whopping 220 members gathered to celebrate Shiawassee County Farm Bureau’s 10th Annual Member Barn Dance, March 2 at Stone House Farm in Bancroft. It was Stone House’s fifth year hosting the event; earlier iterations cycled among members’ barns and shops.
Caterer Brenda Hart provided an exceptional meal and Andrew Genovese’s DJ Service did a great job soundtracking the event and getting members out on the dance floor.
Of-age attendees receiving a pair of adult beverage vouchers upon entry and several attendees went home with gifts from local businesses.
Newly written members from the prior and current membership years took home gift baskets stuffed with $50 worth of Michigan-made products from CopperTop Country Store in Owosso.
CopperTop and AppleTree Lane also supplied gifts for door-prize drawings, while Murtles Chocolates supplied gift baskets for members’ children in attendance. Other kids’ activities included board games, coloring books, farm toys, face painting and balloon animals.
