By Sherrie Norris
If you enjoy good music, food, fun and fellowship while supporting a good cause, you will not want to miss the upcoming Honey Harvest Hoedown in Deep Gap.
On Saturday, July 28, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., the High Country community will come together for a fundraising event to help with the ongoing needs of de la Cruz Farms, located just across from Deep Gap Fire Department
Since 2014, de la Cruz Farms (meaning “of the cross”) has been serving area children and families in a unique farm-like setting that provides hands-on experiences in a safe, family friendly and faith-based atmosphere.
“Our primary goal is to share Biblical truths about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with our guests, while helping them learn about the farm and to enjoy all it has to offer,” said Farm Operations Manager, Zoe Cremeens.
Weekly one-on-one sessions are available at de la Cruz for individuals and/or families at absolutely no cost, and include learning to care for the farm, its inhabitants — horses and bees, primarily — as well as Bible study.
“Our sessions usually last about an hour and a half and are open to anyone,” said Creemens. “We do encourage family participation with time spent learning about the Bible and carrying out a farm chore together — which can be anything from gardening, weeding or mucking a field. The final part of the session is spent doing whatever the participants choose — working with or riding the horses, beekeeping or gardening.”
Cremeens said the upcoming fundraising event is vital to the ongoing services provided by the farm, whether for general operating expenses, or for special needs accessibility, such as ramps and other platforms for those with limited mobility.
“We do work with a lot of special-needs individuals, so we have to make sure we are adequately equipped to do so,” she stressed.
Proceeds from the event will also be used to help make the farm more accessible year-round, Cremeens said. “We function well in the spring, summer and fall, but we want to work on an indoor arena so we can continue to serve our clients in the winter, as well. Plus, we have a lot of animal care and upkeep.”
Providing a variety of positive, interactive (farm) experiences for children and families who are dealing with difficult life circumstances and/or challenging needs, the nonprofit organization is located in the heart of the Deep Gap community, owned and operated by Jeff and Bencita Brooks.
According to Bencita Brooks, the farm’s success is, in large part, due to its active board of directors and other compassionate volunteers who recognize and reflect the organization’s core values, which, she says, include “sharing Bible truths, reaching out to children and families — and nurturing God’s creation.”
“We see the farm as one of the ways we can love our creator and our neighbor,” she added.
In addition to the fundraising event and other donations that come in during the year, the operation of de la Cruz is funded primarily through its popular honey production.
Hoedown, honey, fried chicken and more
The upcoming event at de la Cruz promises to be filled with a lot of fun for everyone, said summer employee, Emma Gummerson.
“We will have great food, provided by Dan’l Boone Inn, which includes fried chicken and all the fixin’s,” she said.
Live music will feature the relatively new local band, New River Drifters, fast gaining popularity, especially since their debut appearance in April at Merlefest.
Band members are no strangers to the High Country and include twin brothers Dustin and Drew Petrey, Kevin Eller and Martin Moore.
With a wide range of talent, vocal and musical skills, the New River Drifters are sure to attract a crowd wherever they go.
They will provide music for square dancing, contra dancing and more, with well-known dance caller, Catherine Barry, “who makes it easy to follow and understand,” said Gummerson.
“Plus, we will have a baked pie contest in two different categories: fruit and nuts, as well as custard and cream-type pies. The contest is open to all ages and winners will receive nice prizes from the farm.”
If that’s not enough, patrons can learn all about honey — how it is made and harvested — and will be able to purchase and bottle their own honey. Multiflora and sourwood varieties of honey will be available at the event.
And, there will be fun games for the kids.
Suggested donations are $15 per person, $25 per couple, $5 for children 12 and under and $40 maximum for large families.
For more information about de la Cruz, to reserve your tickets of the event and/or register for the pie contest, call 828-964-8152 or email info@delacruzfarms.com
De la Cruz Farms is located at 6696 Old Hwy. 421 South in Deep Gap.
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