Poor Farm Barn hosts fundraising concerts
From staff reports
Leelanau County’s historic Poor Farm Barn will host some of the area’s finest musicians at a string of three fund-raising concerts beginning on Wednesday, July 29, with subsequent concerts scheduled for Aug. 12 and Aug. 26. These Picnic Concerts are being organized by the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society to help fund the last big item needed to open the barn to wider community use—a set of bathrooms.
After almost 10 years of effort by over 100 contributors, volunteers, and contractors, the Poor Farm Barn may soon be a three-season community venue hosting educational programs, art exhibits, theater, music and other cultural events. The barn has already received extensive rehabilitation from the foundation on up, including a new electrical system, re-surfaced wood floors, and a fresh coat of paint completed just this spring.
“One of our goals as a nonprofit organization is to return this county-owned barn back to community use as a gathering place for cultural events, educational offerings, and entertainment,” board president Joe VanderMeulen said. “We really have only one more big huddle to go. To meet Leelanau County building standards, we need a set of bathrooms!”
The Picnic Concerts are scheduled for 6-8 pm., on July 29, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26 at the Poor Farm Barn (Burdickville Road near Maple City). A concert in mid-July was canceled due to wildfire smoke and poor air quality. There are no tickets needed. Rather, organizers are asking all participants to make a donation at whatever level they can to help build the bathrooms.
Concert goers are invited to bring their picnics, chairs or blankets, and get comfortable on the lawn under the shade canopies or in the sun. There’s plenty of room for dancing.
Organizers have promised really great music from Andre Villoch and friends (Wed., July 29), The Fabulous Horndogs (Wed., Aug. 12), and Go North! (Wed. Aug. 26), along with free tours of the barn, visits to the Row-by-Row Garden, familiar yard games, and wonderful food offered by TC Tacos.
Everyone’s invited to Picnic at the barn! Join us on the grass and enjoy some great music by professional musicians. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic if you wish. Sit under the canopies, or in the sun, dance when the music moves you, and sing along.
