Get out your cowboy hat and chili spoons, it’s Barn Daze time in Orion Township.
The annual fall celebration returns to Friendship Park this Saturday (Sept. 20) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
‘It generally grows a little bit every year,? said Jennifer Vezina, Orion Township’s parks & recreation program supervisor.
Vezina said the township expects about 900 families to attend the Barn Daze, making it the biggest parks-run event of the year.
New attractions like free paper shredding, a fresh produce stand and a trebuchet (pumpkin tossing) demonstration, will join many of the old standards this year.
A Civil War re-enactment, petting farm, pony rides, hay maze, bounce houses and carnival games are among some of the favorite annual attractions, according to Vezina.
This year, those young people interested in taking in all that Barn Daze has to offer, can purchase a day-long stamp for $5, good for all of the above-mentioned attractions. The traditional tickets remain four for $1.
The event celebrates the moving of the Porritt Barn from its old location on the other side of the township.
‘We moved the barn back in 2000, and then a year later was our first Barn Daze,? Vezina said.
After rainy weather wiped out much of this past weekend’s fun, Vezina is hopeful for a beautiful Saturday afternoon this weekend.
‘All the bad weather is behind us,? she said.
The always popular Orion Area Chamber of Commerce Chili Challenge returns for its seventh year.
‘This is probably one of the most fun events for the chamber all year,? said Managing Director Donna Heyniger. ‘Our challengers are from all over the place.?
In all, 20 teams will be competing for first, second and third place honors from the judges, along with the famed people’s choice award.
Judges will include Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk, along with a pair of trustees, 52-3 District Court Judge Julie Nicholson, Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh and a starving writer from a local newspaper, among others.
Those wanting to vote for people’s choice can purchase a chili kit for just $2, which comes equipped with four tasting bowls and a spoon.
T & C Federal Credit Union is the event sponsor and Abacus Accounting will ensure all the votes are properly tallied.
First place winner from 2007 Parrot Head Paradise will be back to defend their title and, keeping with the Olympic year theme, gold medals will be handed out to winners of individual challenges, which usually includes a titanic battle between local eye care specialists.
‘We’ll be making our chili from scratch right at the tables,? Heyniger said, noting visitors to Barn Daze are encouraged to come by and see it all for themselves.