Second Annual Ag Bash

On Aug. 12 the Loretto Motherhouse held our second annual Ag. Bash. Big tents were set up in the field right before Mary’s Lake. Community members packed 300 children’s goodie bags with pencils, crayons, markers, book marks, a picture to color and a $4 off voucher for the Farmer’s Market. A generous sponsor donated funds for 300 used children’s books to be handed out for free. Over 15 other sponsors funded the entire cost of the event for the Community. 

Children abounded, in the bouncy house, on tractors, in wading pools filled with grain, petting the horse and the goats, miking the life-sized plastic cow, observing bees and catching insects.

Frozen beef, tomatoes, potatoes, melons, jars of jam, leather goods, earrings, barbecue – all for sale. The snow cones were free, as were the newly churned butter on crackers.

Numerous community partners volunteered at the event hosting booths, directing parking, bringing equipment and animals and helping the day run smoothly. The Loretto Heritage Center’s historical display and Jessie Rathburn’s environmental education skills added to the event’s success. 

Even with a couple of heavy rain showers, estimates are that 500 people came. At least 250 lined up for golf cart tours of the campus given by the Loretto Heritage Center. It wasn’t possible to cart them all. Next year we’ll do better!