‘Down on the Farm’ at German Valley Days

‘Down on the Farm’ at German Valley Days

By Peggy Werner

"Down on the Farm” is the theme of the 46th annual German Valley Days June 7-9, in a salute to Illinois Agriculture.

This year’s headliner is Greg Peterson of the Peterson Farm Brothers of Assaria, Kan., who’ll be on stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Peterson Farm Brothers became a social media sensation when they set about using You Tube and other platforms to entertain and educate people about life for modern-day farmers.

Donna Smith, co-chairperson of the German Valley Days Planning Committee, has been trying for a long time to get the Petersons involved in the annual celebration.

“They operate a fifth-generation farm in Kansas and have realized the need to educate people about agriculture. They entertain, travel the country and open their farm for tours, advocating for agriculture and hoping to correct misconceptions about modern-day farming,” she says.

“In 2012, I had an idea to make a video about life on the farm and in one week it had 5 million views,” says Peterson. “Farmers suffer from misconceptions coming from people who protest the raising of livestock, who don’t believe in using chemicals or genetically modified crops, and who think farmers abuse animals and the environment.

“Most of the technological advances used in farming are for the comfort and care of animals and plants and to produce more animals in an environmentally-friendly way. It doesn’t make sense for farmers to not take care of animals and the land and not strive for ways to produce healthier food. We’re all eating from the same food supply,” he says.

The festival will open at 5 p.m. Friday, June 7, at Ben Miller Park, with food and craft vendors; pony rides by the Huenefelds; inflatable rides by Jumping Beans; games by Elite Towing and Recovery; and a celebration supper put on by Silver Creek Reformed Church SWIFT youth ministries at 5 p.m.

The Little Miss and Mister German Valley Pageant will take place at 7 p.m. followed by “Hee Haw German Valley 2019,” a variety show reminiscent of the former TV show. The “Buckets of Junk” competition will also be back.

In it, participants take a pile of junk and turn it into a piece of artwork. For more information and to register, contact Bob Ebbesmeyer at (815) 541-2182.

Saturday, June 8 opens with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the church’s ACTS women’s ministry, from 6:30 to 10 a.m. at the fire station, 600 Church St. There’ll be health screenings from 7 to 10 a.m., followed by a “Run the Valley” 5k and fun run, a German Valley Lions Car Show, an antique tractor pull, a pig scramble, a euchre card game tournament, a farm animal display and bingo.

The Around the World Basketball Shooting Contest for various ages will return at 11 a.m. at basketball courts near Ben Miller Park. Contact Jonathan Schneiderman at jschneiderman@fvdistrict221.org.

After a successful debut last year, Nerf Wars will return from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Contact Jon Quinzer at (773) 899- 1402 for more information.

The parade will start at 1:30 p.m. on Church Street followed by a pie-eating contest sponsored by Vicki’s Baked Goods & More at 2:30 p.m. and a stage performance by The Spotted Dog Three Peace Rock & Roll Show. The afternoon will also feature Jason Kollum stilt walking in the park; Rockford Discovery Center’s “Flying Corn Booth”; Sandy’s face painting and balloons in shelter park; a pork chop barbeque at 3:30 p.m.; “Hillbilly Horseshoes” at 4:30 p.m. and Grass Attack performing bluegrass music from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Activities will culminate with a fireworks display in the Lake Baalton Area at 9:45 p.m.

Sunday’s only event will be the “Festival of Praise” community worship service at 10 a.m. in the park. The rain location is Silver Creek Reformed Church, 323 S. Bunker Hill Road, German Valley.

German Valley Days is the town’s biggest social event and is supported by most of the nearly 500 residents in the Stephenson County hamlet, mainly through efforts of the Lions Club, the Village of German Valley, its businesses, organizations, churches and residents.

German Valley was settled by German immigrants from Ostfriesland in the 1840s.

“German Valley Days gives residents a chance to celebrate the history of their community and it also allows guests to experience its charm,” says Smith.

Admission is free. For a full schedule and updates, go to germanvalleydays. com, Facebook or call Smith at (815) 362-3671. ❚