Frying Pan Farm Park Named "Park of the Year"

Dec. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- The Friends Group of Frying Pan Farm Park is pleased to announce that Frying Pan Farm Park was named by the Fairfax County Park Authority as its “Park of the Year” for 2011.  This award is based on the Frying Pan Farm Park’s continuing and expanding programs, as well as recognition of managerial and staff excellence.  

Tawny Hammond, Park Manager said “The staff and I are excited to have Frying Pan Farm Park recognized as what it is, one of the last working farms in Northern Virginia and  a wonderful green oasis in western Fairfax.  Our mission of preserving and interpreting a  Depression Era farm, including our more than 200 animals, as well as our equestrian and other farm  programs would not be possible without the support of our great Friends group.”

Jack Pitzer, President of the Frying Pan Farm Park Friends Group, noted:  “The Friends Group is very honored and proud for Frying Pan Farm Park to be honored in the year that we are celebrating our 50th Anniversary as a park.   The 4H Fair has grown and grown over the years, and we now have three 4H different clubs that meet at the farm , and the number of children and youth learning how to raise crops and livestock has tripled just in the past year.   We get over 400,000 visitors a year to the park, and it takes both people and financial resources to continue this level of excellence at Frying Pan.”  

Preserving an important part of American history Frying Pan Farm Park is one of the most unique places to visit in Northern Virginia.   The park’s mission is to preserve a 1920s through 1950s farm, giving you a sense of the agricultural process and rural community life.  In addition to the farm, it is a regional equestrian center, and you can see great events for free, including jumping, cross-country, western competitions.  The farm programs include historic blacksmith demonstrations, as well as wagon rides through the farm and fields of the park and the new (to the park) antique carousel.  As a working farm, of course it has animals: cows, pigs, goats, horses, sheep, rabbits and even a peacock!  

The Friends group began a number of new initiatives this year to augment their support of the farm animals and antique equipment as well as keep the programs affordable, including enrolling in the federal and Commonwealth of Virginia workplace giving campaigns (CFC and CVC).   The official name of the Friends Group is the Founders Benefactors Supervisors & Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park, Inc. and its CFC number is 67448, and our CVC number is #711.  We wish to thank all of our federal and state employee donors for their support.

As the culmination of our 50th anniversary year, we will have a very exciting celebration on Saturday, December 3rd from 11am to 5pm.   Activities planned include strolling carolers, photos with Santa Claus, warming fires and smores, equestrian demonstrations, farm house tours, blacksmith and cider press demonstrations and a  children’s holiday shopping for ages 4 to 10.  Visit the fryingpanfarm.org website to see the complete list of all the activities.

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