Cracker Box Palace Open House
By Melissa White

Last Saturday (September 10) was a day for having fun in the warm September sun. There there were tours of the Alasa farm, hayrides, picnics, children's activities. We were there too early for the race and Clam bake for Cracker Box Palace, but, as always, wandering around Alasa was a fun experience.

Touring Alasa always reminds me of the fun I had as a child on my grandfather's farm. I learned early that ducks don't like to human members in their group. They are so much fun to watch and they always sound as if they are complaining about something. Alasa Farms has a flock of ducks that were fun to watch as we walked up toward them. They got all upset and started quacking and wandering off in a line.

We visited the immense and beautiful Belgian horses. They put their faces over the fence looking for a nose rub or a sugar cube. They seem so friendly. I'm sure they are used to visitors. In another area, there are the normal-sized horses - the ones that are not-so-overwhelming when they come over to see you. We saw a rescued horse and thought how lucky he was now to have such a nice home and people who love and will take good care of him. The Cracker Box Palace does a great job nursing the animals back to health.

It was fun to see families enjoying each other's company while they explored the farm and all sat down to picnic together. Families could be seen everywhere on the farm - some coming back with the apples they had just picked, others looking at the animals. For us, as I'm sure for many others, Alasa farms is a really fun place to visit and there are so many events to attend there. Through donations everyone can help the Cracker Box Palace save other animals like the horse we saw.

Alasa Farms has U pick apples for many weekends to come : September 10 - October 31, Saturday's and Sunday's 10 -4 p.m. 1/4 peck...$1, 1/2 peck...$2, 1 peck...$3.

Next weekend (September 24 & 25) is Alasa Academy Camping Weekend - Rustic campsites, water & Johnny On The Spots available. Horse Trails, Walking Trails, Farm Tours, Gift Shop, U-Pick Apples, Hay Rides. Saturday night will have a Chuck Wagon Dinner, Campfire, Singing, & Stories. Sunday will begin with a Sunrise Ceremony. Call for info or reservations, 315.483.1470 or 483.2493

October 22 - Fall Extravaganza at Cracker Box Palace Farm Animal Haven, 10 - 6 p.m.: A full day of fall fun on the farm: Apple-zuchini bake-off, loads of kids' games and activities, pumpkin decorating contest, kiddie and adult Halloween costume contest, hay rides. Join in the Pumpkin Chuckin fun - build a device to chuck a pumpkin; prizes for the longest chucks!

November 19 - The Blue Moose Silent Auction & Spaghetti Dinner at the Wolcott Elks Lodge. Donated new and saleable items welcome to be auctioned off to benefit the animals of CBP.

December - Cracker Box Palace & Alasa Academys BarnWarming & Christmas Light Festival at the Farm: hot cocoa, eggnog & Xmas treats. Looking for organizations that would like to participate in a live nativity scene and caroling on the weekends. Call 315.483.2493 for details. Donations of Xmas lights & decorations welcome!

Many events to look forward to attending and they all look like fun.

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