Sanilac County Farm Bureau packed Peck’s Harvest Hall with more than 120 members March 22 for its inaugural Farm Prom! What started as an idea casually thrown during a board meeting gathered steam on social media and blossomed into such a successful membership that it’s a new crown jewel in the county Farm Bureau’s tiara.
But let’s start from the top: What exactly is a Farm Prom?
Similar to a familiar high school prom, attendees enjoyed a good meal and some dancing, participate in a silent auction, try out the photo booth and enjoy card games and corn hole.
Formal attire was neither required nor prohibited, meaning folks showed up decked out in everything from favorite dresses and Carhartts, to blue Dickies work suits, cow-print pants and American flag bibs.
For those testing the zany end of that spectrum there was an ‘Untamed Style’ award up for grabs to those voted most fiercely dressed: The boldly attired took 30-second tours up and down the dance-floor runway, strutting and prancing their looks before introducing themselves and sharing a story about their outfit, hair, boots and buckles.
Onlookers cheered for their favorites, choosing the winners with boisterous hoots, applause and catcalls, eventually tapping Natalie Holbrook as the first Untamed Style winner for her transformation from Udder Tech bibs to a sleek dress of her own design.
Other awards included:
- The ‘Golden Mane’ for best hairdo went to Mike Pionk, who avoids wintertime visits to the barber.
- Bonnie Erbe’s American flag footwear earned her the ‘Best in Boots’ award.
- ‘Buckle of Glory’ honors went to Tom Basner, whose epic belly badge was in fact a treasured family heirloom passed down through several generations.
- Megan Hartwick was awarded 'Boot Scootin' Pro' for her killer dance moves.
The end of the night culminated with crowning Sanilac’s new royal family: Prom King Danny Hale, Queen Emma Woods, King Danny Hale, Princess Kailey Irish and Prince Brian Coltson.
All proceeds from the silent auction — approximately $2,300! — benefited Sanilac County’s Freeze Out Hunger program, which stocks eight area food pantries with ground freezer beef.
Sanilac County Farm Bureau President Darcy Lipskey (below in pink sweater) was MFB’s 2024 Young Farmer Excellence Award Winner.
