(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

'the farm in the heart of the city'

Sunnybrook Farm Museum welcomes patrons back for full summer of programming

Jul 3, 2021 | 12:39 PM

It’s Sunnybrook Farm Museum’s official opening weekend July 3 & 4.

The farm’s green space and playground opened in early June, but without programming staff, and of course the animals.

Long-time executive director Ian Warwick admits it’s good to be back after a trying summer of 2020 without visitors.

“It’s so nice to see people and animals here again,” he says. “We still have to be careful, but what we do is programming and showcasing Alberta history. We need people here to be able to do that. It’s also good for all our volunteers to be together again.”

That does indeed mean Sunnybrook’s famous pie sales have returned, with outdoor luncheons happening July 14 & 28, as well as August 11 & 25. It’s recommended you call to make a reservation.

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As well, the Pioneer Days Festival goes August 14 & 15, and registration for day camps is filling up quickly.

“There are no restrictions,” adds Warwick. “Staff will be wearing masks when in close proximity with the public, hand sanitizer will be around, and there’s still a limit on the number of people allowed in a building at one time.”

He also noted that Sunnybrook made it through 2020 in large part thanks to a handful of anonymous donations. The organization has a budget of $250,000 annually and fundraises a large chunk of that.

Warwick adds that the Red Deer Aboriginal Dance Troupe remains an on-site tenant, and that group will be out in the park during the summer doing drum circles and engaging patrons of the farm.

“It’s a wonderful partnership and we love to have them here,” Warwick says.

In September, Warwick shares, Sunnybrook will be relocating a church to its grounds that it offered to rescue; that being the historic Presbyterian church from the Willowdale area, southeast of Red Deer.

More information is at sunnybrookfarmmuseum.ca.