|
The
farms’ facility is open full-time from February to November, with
organized rides being held on the weekends. It includes 75 campsites
with water and electric hook-ups, 56 outdoor paddocks, 31 stalls, new
bath houses and an entertainment barn.
Whittemore
said during special events he has bands who come to entertain the trail
riders in the barn.
During
trail rides, the farm operates a full kitchen in the concession stand
for visitors. When large events are scheduled, like Best of America
by Horseback, the Saturday night meal is catered by local
restaurants. Jim and Nick’s Barbecue of Jasper will cater the May 3
meal.
Country
Horse Fair
In
conjunction with the Best of America by Horseback event,
Whittemore plans to host a Country Horse Fair.
"On
Saturday, we will have activities and vendors here for the riders and
visitors," said Whittemore. "We hope to make the fair an
annual event."
Some
of the wares to be offered by vendors include pony rides, western
murals, hand-made furniture and birdhouses.
Some
of the event’s sponsors will also have booths at the fair. Handley’s
Western Wear, Carl Cannon Chevrolet and Walker Farmers Co-op in Jasper
will be on hand for the event.
Vendors
interested in a booth for the fair may contact Whittemore at the numbers
listed below.
Organized
Events Nearly
All-Year ‘Round
Whittemore
currently hosts five rides each year at the farm. His first event of
2008, which was held the first weekend in March, drew riders from 14
states.
Other
rides scheduled for this year include the following weekends: Memorial
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and the first weekend in November.
Besides
the annual rides, Whittemore also hosts various benefit and charity
rides, including the Children’s Harbor Benefit Ride which will be held
on June 6-8.
Whittemore
will host the American Trail Ride Association during the fourth weekend
in September.
Pumpkin
Patch
During
the month of October, Whittemore’s focus shifts from trail rides to
his large pumpkin patch operation.
The
pumpkin patch caters to large school groups during the week and is open
to the public on Saturdays and Sundays.
"We
have been doing the pumpkin patch for 12 years," said Whittemore.
"We have many activities for the kids to do."
Those
activities include a petting zoo, face painting, moon walk, storytime
tent, obstacle course, scarecrow building, hay maze, giant slide,
fishing and a hayride to the pumpkin patch.
Building
Up
Whittemore
said he began small, attracting only local riders. As word spread, the
farm soon found itself hosting riders from across the state.
Now
established as a regional attraction, Whittemore is hoping the Best
of America by Horseback will put him in a larger arena, so to speak.
"I
hope when folks see the show they will want to come here from across the
country," said Whittemore. "We would love to have folks come
check out our accommodations. We’ll show them a good time."
Not Just
Horses and Pumpkins
Even
though Whittemore’s main focus is on trail rides and the pumpkin
patch, the farm has much more to offer to those people not interested in
horses and pumpkins.
"We
have people book the farm for all kinds of gatherings," said
Whittemore. "We try to accommodate anyone who would like to use our
facility.
Whittemore
has hosted birthday parties. Church groups and family reunions have
often enjoyed the facility.
He
has even hosted a couple of weddings at the farm, which is named in
honor of his mother.
Whittemore
is a loyal customer of the Walker Farmers Co-op in Jasper. Manager Ricky
Aldridge said he appreciates good customers like Whittemore.
Contact
Information
Persons
interested in more information about trail rides or the pumpkin patch
may call Ricky Whittemore at 205-221-7557 or 205-522-4137. Visit the
farm’s website at www.fayewhittemorefarms.com
for rates and booking information.
Susie
Sims is a freelance writer from Haleyville. |
