So far 2024 has been eventful in many ways but we are about to make it even more memorable. On Saturday, September 7th GoodLife will bring back a beloved tradition – the Annual Family Fun Day at Midnight Farm!
Originally, the event was conceived as an opportunity to bring families and community members together at the farm in celebration of the arrival of spring. Accordingly, the inaugural festivities were called Spring Family Fun Day and took place on April 30th, 2011.
In a way the event was a showcase-introduction of our newly opened pastoral sanctuary to the surrounding communities. It instantly became much more. Thousands of jubilant attendees from Kansas City, Eudora, Baldwin, De Soto and Lawrence flocked to Midnight Farm and⸺after discovering its charm, character, and amenities⸺became returning guests, friends, and devoted supporters of GoodLife’s mission.
The Family Fun Day was a resounding success from the moment of its inception 13 years ago and the KC Parent Magazine picked it as one of the top ten things to do in April. Among the highlights listed were the family-friendly activities, games, live entertainment, great food, animal adventures, modern facilities and stunning rural landscapes.
Throughout the years The Family Fun Day has featured not only great music acts such as Billie Spears, Sugarfoot Detour, and Ben Martsolf but also stunning western history re-enactment performances by the Wild Women of the Frontier, storytelling, dancing, authentic yarn spinning lessons and much more. The celebration became synonymous with fantastic food and an eclectic array of fun activities such as pony and wagon rides, kid’s games, petting paddocks, face painting, professional massage stations, scavenger hunts, crafts, plant, flower and vegetable sales and much more…
The Family Fun Day had become such an inseparable part of our social fabric that even a torrential rain in 2016 couldn’t stop an even bigger stream of guests from filling up the farm to capacity.
“I have had many moments when I have been proud and thankful for GoodLife! Last Saturday, my day at Midnight Farm, ranks near the top of those moments! Family Fun Day was amazing. Our individuals were having the most delightful time, happy and totally engaged.
The focus was making it a fun filled day for them and a time to shine! The flowers for sale were plentiful and beautiful; a number of them are adorning my deck! The band brought a lively atmosphere, and the food was yummy. Many enjoyed the massages, face painting and other activities. I’m not sure of the count, but I believe several hundred people came out!
Thank you…..thank you to Melba, Ky, Anna, and all the incredible staff/volunteers who made this day possible. It really was a proud and memorable moment!
– Marilyn Hammond, GoodLife Innovations Board Member about 2017 Family Fun Day
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everyone’s lives in 2020, the cancellation of our Family Fun Day tradition felt like a devastating blow not only to Midnight Farm but to all the surrounding communities.
Now, after a long hiatus we are beyond excited to renew this jubilant, long-anticipated event and welcome yet again those friends, supporters, community members, families and neighbors who appreciate the beautiful Kansas countryside and our mission. Family Fun Day 2024 will take place on Saturday, September 7th at Midnight Farm (2084 N 600 RD) and will feature live music by Bob Kamler Band, interactive sonic experience with Harmonic Connections, farmer’s market and bazaar, petting pal area, wagon rides, games, fantastic food from Barbwire Barbecue and much more.
Be sure to mark your calendars and join us for this much anticipated event! Hope to see you there!
