Summer at Primrose Farm is full of exciting opportunities to learn, grow and have plenty of old-fashioned fun. New and returning programs for both kids and adults will take place on the farm, a facility of the St. Charles Park District, all season long.
Black Feather Painting for those age 5 and older is a chance for parents and their young ones to create a beautiful art piece that comes with pre-traced panels. No experience is needed for this program, which takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays June 20 and August 15. June’s subject will be colorful zinnias while August will focus on mushrooms beneath a starry sky.
A second offering, Black Feather Painting: Clyde, also for those 5 and up, will feature a familiar face around the farm.
“The class will actually be painting our barn cat,” said Patricia Kennedy, farm program supervisor. “I thought it would be neat to offer something a little different so we are working together to create some interesting painting subjects.”
Felted Soap for 12 and up will feature vibrant wool fibers that can be molded to extend a soap’s life. This program takes place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, August 9. Whimsical Chicken Needle Felting is a unique offering in which those 18 and older, who can learn the fundamentals of needle felting to create a unique design. This program will be held on July 12 from 9am-12pm.
Another chance to learn something new—and tasty—comes in the form of Cooking with Nonna Donna: Summer Lovin’ Peach Chicken at the farm’s newly finished Education Center. This program geared to adults takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24.
“Peach chicken is a delicious and memorable meal I have made for family and friends,” said Fatigato of the dish which is served over polenta and paired with green beans. A chilled chocolate dessert rounds out the meal.
Three new programs encourage movement and mind-body connection. Yoga with Nonna Donna is geared to kids 4 and up with a parent. The playful child-centered class takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, August 11.
Wellness Yoga with Nonna Donna, for those 18 years and older, focuses on stress release and is suitable for all fitness levels. It is offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. select Wednesdays, July 16 through August 27. Adult community members can also start their morning with Sunrise Yoga with Nonna Dona, which focuses on revitalization for the day ahead. This program takes place from 7 to 8 a.m. select Fridays, July 18 through August 22.
“Participants will deepen their senses of overall well-being regardless of age and experience with yoga,” said Donna Fatigato, a cooking and wellness coach who will lead the programs.
“Classes will be immersed in nature to create balance and a sense of harmony in the mind, body and spirit.”
Animal Adventures are also back. These popular all-ages programs allow up-close interactions with the farm’s many residents.
Feed the Goats takes place on Tuesdays. Feed the Chickens is offered Thursdays. Both begin at 10 a.m., with the last offering at 10:45 a.m.
Hands-on Milking with Primrose’s cows is Wednesdays and Saturdays. The first chance is at 9 a.m. with the last offering at 9:45 a.m.
People can gather just-laid eggs Wednesdays and Saturdays, beginning at 11 a.m. with the last offering at 11:45 a.m. Hold Your Horses featuring the farm’s Belgian draft horses takes place on Saturdays at 2 and 2:30 p.m.
“We try to get the participants around the animals as much as possible and people are always amazed by the new farm facts they learn,” Kennedy said.
To learn more and register, visit primrosefarm.org.