ALL KOSSACKS INVITED!!!
Well, everyone is invited, actually: tea partiers, rush Limbaugh, but fortunately they never show up. My wife and I have gone to this event for several years and we love it. In fact, even when they don’t have an event, the Queens County Farm is an absolute treasure, far better than a walk in the park to a city dweller. The farm was started long ago, and supplied fresh milk and eggs to Creedmore, the nearby mental hospital. It is still a functioning farm and it is part of the New York City Parks Department. There are places to stand in the middle of the farm, where you can see no buildings, and it is truly an out-of-city experience, within the five boroughs!
Queens County Farm Museum's history dates back to 1697; it occupies New York City's largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland. The farm encompasses a 47-acre parcel that is the longest continuously farmed site in New York State. The site includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles and implements, planting fields, an orchard, herb garden and vineyard.
Our farm animals and tranquil agrarian environment provide the opportunity to leave the hectic daily pace behind for an enjoyable visit to a farm without leaving the City.
They have many events, mostly for kids, but the main event to us is the Native American Pow Wow, held every July.
Native American Pow Wow
AMERICAN INDIAN MID-SUMMER
POW WOW
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
July 26 – 28, 2013
New York City 's oldest and largest pow wow will feature three days of intertribal Native American dance competitions to which the public is invited. Over 40 Indian nations are represented at this spectacular event held in the apple orchard on the farm grounds. A large selection of quality Native American art, crafts, jewelry and foods are available.
There are three days of dancing around a big bonfire, lots of friendly conversation, good food, and great jewelry and clothing to buy. Last year, even in brutal heat, and intermittent downpours, the dancers gave it their all.
In addition, the atmosphere is wonderful. It is great to see so many people walking around, who look just like everyday residents of Queens: all hues and all different types of facial features; but many walk around in their native attire and celebrate a big part of their heritage. I think last year there were 40 nations represented.
Last year, the first thing I spied as we entered the gate was a van with a huge sign on its side protesting against fracking.
The Queens County Farm truly feels like a place of tranquility; an oasis in the city. It has no feel of corporate sponsorship and has no faux-farm touches. It is a working farm, which sells its produce. It also has no feel of “Bloombergness”, even though it is a part of the NYC Parks Department. The Farm truly feels as if it stands on its own, save for the maple leaf Parks Dept. sign on its front gate.
As soon as you walk in to the Pow Wow, you get a wonderful vibe. The closest thing I can compare it to is the feeling of the wooded parking lot of a Grateful Dead show at a place like SPAC in Saratoga, or the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia; and that is saying something!
Please come out to The Queens County Farm whenever you can, and please try to make it to the Pow Wow on July 26-28th!!!
It’s really a treasure!
Here are some photos of the Farm and its residents; and typical photos of the Pow Wow back in 2010.