Gayle Morrow
Moon continued from page 26
Gayle Morrow
Courtesy Moons’ Big Red Barn
use—there are several ways for people to get in and out. At the Big Red Barn, the main entrance opens via an extensive screened-in area (which was home to cows once upon a time) into a bright and airy room with five hand-crafted high-tops perfect for leaning on and looking at the view during a lull in conversation, and a counter just waiting for trays of hors-d’oeuvres. They’re all John’s creations, made with live-edge wood from the property and finished with an epoxy so shiny you can see yourself in it. When it’s night, the twinkle lights wrapped everywhere, around all the posts and beams and strung from all the rafters, reflect on the surface, too. From there the bar—complete with a great railing to rest your foot on, making you feel right at home, even without a drink in your hand—is just a few steps away. Down the hall from the bar are the spacious restrooms, with the ladies’ version being large enough and light enough to serve as a space for brides and their attendants to change their clothes or take care of a make-up re-do in the event of a (sigh) particularly emotional ceremony. The pièce de résistance of Moon’s Big Red Barn is the dining/ dancing area. John recalls with a chuckle that he and Vicki were “taking hay out of here in January and February of 2019.” You’d never know it. Though the space has retained its “barn-ness”—with its high, open ceiling, exposed rafters, and old wooden ladders up into the loft (now transformed into a cozy nook)—it is warm and inviting. If you’re the caterer, you will appreciate the new kitchen. It’s “cold,” which means there is no stove or oven (for liability and insurance reasons), but there is an abundance of Moon over...Potter counter space, two big refrigerators, plenty of electrical County: John outlets, and a handy exterior door that lets you back Moon (top) has your catering truck or trailer practically into the room, transformed his thereby making unloading a breeze. old hay barn into The grounds are pretty special, too, and a rustic venue that beautifully maintained. John says that before one of seats 150 with the events hosted here over the summer, he spent eight additional seating hours mowing. That kind of loving attention to detail outside. is evident everywhere. There is a rebuilt stone wall and an old railroad trestle that both provide a nice backdrop for photos, lots of yard space in case you need a place to turn the little ones loose or want to run around yourself, plenty of parking, and a firepit. There is seating inside for 150, and more seating options outside. This was to have been the debut summer for the Barn, but COVID-19 put a damper on things. The inaugural event turned out to be an “adult prom,” a dress-up, BYOB, ticketed evening. “That was our first big test,” John says. It was evidently successful. When Jessica Eskesen, John and Vicki’s daughter and the Barn’s de-facto event/wedding planner, was asked if there were any photos of the evening that might accompany this story, she admitted that everyone was having such a great time that nobody took any pictures. There are four weddings booked for October, and John says he hopes to be able to have an open house next year. “We’re hoping to keep it used, and in the family,” he says. With all the love and history here, who wouldn’t want to tie the knot in a place like this? Find Moon’s Big Red Barn at 453 Rowley Road, just off Route 49 between Westfield and Ulysses. Call (814) 203-8232 or visit Moon’s Big Red Barn on Facebook. 28