Riehm's Barnyard Fun Weekends return

TIFFIN—Reihm Produce Farm, LLC will be host to their 23rd annual year of Barnyard Fun Weekends, which are scheduled to begin Saturday. The events will take place from 12-7 p.m. on Saturday and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday, continuing weekly until Oct. 27 Phil Riehm, farm manager, shared insight into what's new this year as well as their continued recovery from the barn fire that took place on the property earlier this July. Barnyard Fun An event that started in 2001, Riehm said, began with an idea from both himself in college and his mother who had attended a similar event while traveling through Wisconsin. "At the time, I was in college and was required to create a hypothetical Agricultural Business Practice," said Riehm. "At the time, agricultural entertainment was ramping up in the country and the two of us put something together." This year, there will be roughly 25 activities available for children and families alike to participate in. Some of the highlights include a pumpkin cannon, which was built by Bob Gilmore of Old Fort, pedal carts with a gravel track, pig races, a new putt-putt course, human-sized hamster wheels, a recently revised slide and a corn maze. Additionally, concessions will be available for purchase, with the majority of which being farm-to-table from the Riehm property. This year's corn maze was designed in honor of Riehm's late cousin, Monica Marie Hessick. Hussing passed away 30 years ago, and loved to run relay races– therefore, this year's maze is shaped to be a girl and a boy running around a track. The maze itself will contain hints to help guide guests through the corn and stretch 10 acres of corn. According to Riehm, walking the maze is roughly 4/10 of a mile. Community Support Riehm noted that the family has had assistance from everyone in the community following the tragedy of their livestock barn burning in July. Two of the most recent groups being Tiffin University's Baseball Team and Ron Martin's running camp of Mentor. "Martin and his group were out here last month and did a tremendous job cleaning up," said Riehm. "We donate food to their running camp in the summer, so it was really nice to hear from them and to welcome them out here." Last weekend, TU Mens Baseball Head Coach Joe Wilkins and the Tiffin University Baseball Teams came out to help set up for Barnyard Fun weekends. According to Riehm, roughly 60 individuals came out. Members of the team worked in two-hour shifts, containing 20 people each. "We would've still been able to host the event this weekend, but they really spruced the place up," said Riehm. "Some were painting, some were pulling weeds, some were heavy lifting, we're all very grateful." Continued Recovery Riehm shared the following: "Farmers are resilient, the barn might not be here anymore, but we sure are– now that things are cleaned up, we do plan to build again," said Riehm, when asked if any additional challenges with the recent loss of their over 100-year-old barn (built in 1908). Planning began just weeks after the July 20 fire, according to Riehm. "We hope to have it up by November for the cattle," he said. For the community, the new barn will contain a variety of features, including the addition of a drive-thru, as well as a porch with 6-7 petting zoo pens. "With the good lord leading people to us, and the tremendous community support, we are able to continue to grow," said Riehm.