May 22, 2009

Baseball, good food and old-fashioned family fun are just a hint of all that awaits visitors to the 2nd annual "Farmers and Friends Picnic" at Walker Tavern Historic Site in Brooklyn on Sunday, May 31. Highlights include a farmers market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a workshop on the history of baseball at 11 a.m., and old-time games and a potluck picnic from noon to 1 p.m. At 1 p.m. the Walker Wheels take on the Inmates of Wood County, Ohio, in a game of vintage baseball. All activities are free and the community is invited to participate.

"Getting together to share food and fun has a long tradition in the Irish Hills community, according to an account published by the Brooklyn Area Historical Society, and Walker Tavern is reviving that tradition," explained Cheryl Valentine, Walker Tavern site historian. Valentine said the first community picnic was held in 1908 and for the next 25 years the annual picnic was one of the highlights of the summer. It's said that the picnic of 1922, featuring a baseball game between the farmers and the businessmen of Brooklyn, attracted nearly 1,500 people.

Valentine said this year's game between Walker Tavern's home team, the Walker Wheels, and The Inmates of Wood County, Ohio, promises to be a lively one. It will be played with Civil War-era rules including no mitts. "It only stings for the first few innings," according to team manager, Brian "Water- logged" Thomas. The 11 a.m. workshop ("Baseball Now and Then" led by Matt "El matador" Zarb) will introduce participants to the history of baseball in Lenawee County and compare the rules of vintage baseball to those of today's game. All ages are welcome to attend and, if there's interest following the workshop, everyone can play a few innings.

The Walker Tavern Farmers Market is held every Sunday (starting May 24 through the end of September) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 25 local vendors display fresh produce, baked goods, fresh eggs, honey, crafts and flowers at this colorful market. Market master David Brainerd said, "More and more people are becoming interested in where the food they eat is produced, and we expect this to be another big season for Walker's Farmers Market." Walker Tavern Historic Site opens for the season on Saturday, May 23, and is open through Sept. 6. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site is closed MIS race weekends June 13-14 and Aug. 15-16.

Walker Tavern is located in Brooklyn, next to the Michigan International Speedway in the Irish Hills region. Situated at the historic crossroads of M-50 and the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail, Walker Tavern is just 35 miles west of Ann Arbor.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Department of History, Arts and Libraries jointly administer Walker Tavern. Walker Tavern Historic Site is part of the Michigan Historical Museum System and is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums. For more information visit www.michigan.gov/walkertavern or call (517) 467-4401, TDD (517) 373-1592.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).