Down on the Farm celebration of America 250, July 19
Little Riley Creek Farm to host free music, storytelling and history event
MEDIA RELEASE__The Bluffton America 250 Committee is pleased to present Down on the Farm, an afternoon celebrating rural life and heritage on Sunday, July 19. The public is invited to Little Riley Creek Farm, 9255 Lugabill Road, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. for wagon rides, cotton candy, tours of the organic vegetable farm, and old-time music in the barn (schedule below). There is no charge for this event.
Music will be provided by the Riley Creek Strummers, a dulcimer group with about a dozen players. Organized in 2012, the group will share patriotic selections, fiddle tunes, hymns, and folk music.
Early American music from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries will be provided by Wendy Chappell-Dick and John Jantzen. John and Wendy gave themselves a challenge: learn 50 songs in celebration of America 250.
A display of Shawnee artifacts and cultural items will be curated by Gary Wetherill.
Georgia Adams, of the Skénö Kúwa Ökweöwe (Mingo) people, will be doing Native American storytelling and playing Native American instruments.
Mark Brumbaugh, a reenactor who portrays a French fur trader, will also have historical items and furs to show.
SCHEDULE
1:00 Fifty (songs) for (America) 250 by Wendy Chappell-Dick and John Jantzen
1:30 Native American drum, flute and storytelling by Georgia Adams
2:00 Riley Creek Strummers
3:00 Fifty (songs) for (America) 250 by Wendy Chappell-Dick and John Jantzen
3:30 Native American drum, flute and storytelling by Georgia Adams
4:00 Fifty (songs) for (America) 250 by Wendy Chappell-Dick and John Jantzen
Bluffton’s Down on the Farm celebration is organized by the American 250 Committee, which has initiated many events throughout the year. Fall events include an Apple Pie baking contest, a Chili cook-off and a homemade quilt raffle.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Are you a friend of the Bluffton Public Library?
- Weekend Doctor: What you need to know about flu season
- Courtney Linke joins CNB as VP Business Banking Officer
- Blanchard Valley Health System Announces Updates to Board of Trustees
- Blanchard Valley Health Foundation Announces Changes to Board of Directors
Friday, October 23, 2026
- Village of Bluffton announces late afternoon drill at Bluffton Schools, October 23
- October 23 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Pirate volleyball eliminated in sectionals by Archbold
- Pirate boys soccer knocked off by Bath
- Main St. closure rescheduled; parapet work to take place Oct. 27
- Bluffton student to reflect on diabetes research experience
- Bluffton University receives $8,000 Stinner Summit award for youth agricultural and environmental education
- Elections matter, including midterms
Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 22
- ICAPP study: Ohioans strongly oppose data center expansion and tax breaks
- Pirate girls soccer ousts rival Allen East in sectionals
- Strawberry Fields Forever: Fruit polyphenols and brain health
- Last call for Bluffton Cars & Coffee for 2026
- Icon calendar gets a little more elbow room
- Bluffton Board of Education recap: Contracts for coaches and new bus driver
- Bluffton Lions Club update for October 2026
- Bluffton chamber photo competition display and reception announced
- Bluejays and buzzards catch the eye of this Accounting prof
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 21
- Village of Beaverdam requests suggestions for park grant application
- Charles “Chuck” Wendall Collins, 63, owned Eagle Press Repairs
- Dwain L. Leiber, 87, owned Leiber Garage
- Kimberly Dawn Murphy, 55, taught at Findlay City Schools
- Kaleidoscope Farms honoring veterans, thanking current troops, Nov. 8
- Filmmaker to preview documentary exploring life beyond incarceration
- ONU mobile health clinic at Senior Center on Oct. 28
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Columbus Grove-Bluffton Rd. closure planned for up to three weeks
- Two Pirate volleyball players make 1st team All-NWC
- 3 Pirate girls 1st team All-NWC soccer
- Pirates dominate All-NWC boys soccer awards
- Local filmmaker focuses on memories made by people and places
- Bluffton Public Library: Medicare 101
- BHS artists prepare Yankee Doodle Christmas Trees for Jingle Bell Stroll