Kensington Park Farm Center Events

Fall Festival 
Saturday/ Sunday, September 26 & 27 from noon to 4 p.m.
No reservation needed. Most activities are free with a Metroparks vehicle entry permit. Standard public hayride rates apply.
Enjoy a fun-filled weekend of activities for the whole family.  Tour the farm and view traditional demonstrations, visit with food and craft vendors, be entertained by “Rosco the Clown” and more.  Also, take a hayride to and from the pumpkin patch to pick your perfect pumpkin.  

Pick Your Pumpkin Hayrides 
Throughout October on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., and weekdays from 10a.m. to 2 p.m.   All weekday hayrides are tractor-drawn. Standard hayride rates apply.

Come enjoy this seasonal tradition!  Enjoy a colorful fall hayride to and from our huge pumpkin patch to select your perfect Jack-O-Lantern. We grow pumpkins and gourds in a variety of popular colors, shapes and sizes. Pumpkins and gourds are priced according to size.  

Pumpkin Patch  Thursday, October 15 at 10 a.m.               
This one’s all about pumpkins. Finish your visit with a tractor-drawn ride to the pumpkin patch and get a discount on a pumpkin purchase. 

Halloween Party  Thursday, October 29 at 10 a.m.             
It’s time for toddlers to “trick or treat” all around the farm.  Play a Halloween game or two, visit a “haunted” barn and even take a picture with our own friendly Jack O’ Lantern.  Our special spooky party even includes an animal parade. Costumes are encouraged!

2240 W. Buno Road | Milford, MI 48380 | 248-684-8632

Hours of Operation:

March 1 through October 31: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

November 1 through February 28: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A Metroparks Vehicle Entry Permit is required to visit the Kensington Metropark Farm Center.

Harvest Party in Palmer Park

Harvest Festival Saturday, October 3, 2015, 1:00-4:00pm Hayrides through the trails Petting Zoo & Farmer John Show Corn on the Cob Roast Explore Pumpkins & Squash Games Apple Tasting Arts & Crafts Park in the Splash Park lot on Merrill Plaisance

Once farmland and home to a multitude of animals and orchards, the celebration of the Harvest at Detroit’s Palmer Park was honored in the days of Senator and Mrs. Palmer in the late 1800s, when Palmer Park was known as Log Cabin Farm. People for Palmer Park has revived this tradition with its annual Harvest Festival. Free family fun including hayrides through the historic woods; apple tasting and applesauce-making demos; petting zoo and pony rides; tours through Palmer Park’s new urban garden and pumpkin patch; arts and crafts and games for children; music-making; and much more. This is a fun opportunity for all ages to learn about how our food is grown, the lives of farm animals, and nature in the park.

Curry Thai Chicken

Chicken red thai curry healthy pregnancy recipe

With your baby ramping up its protein needs in order to help develop the smartest brain possible as you progress through pregnancy, it's a good idea to eat plenty of lean meat - just like that in this chicken red thai curry.

Ingredients

• 5-6 bone-in skinless chicken thighs
• salt
• pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 piece of fresh ginger, peeled
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 small cauliflower, cut into pieces (you can easily, use butternut squash, sweet potatoes, eggplant, or other “sturdy” vegetable that takes well to simmering)
• 4-5 small zucchinis, sliced into half-moons (optional too, see note above re: veggies)
• 2-3 green chilies (optional)
• 1-2 teaspoons of curry powder (optional, I really like a kick in my curry)
• 1/8 cup Red Thai Curry paste (brand of your choice, in my case, there was no choice, I was just happy to have any Thai Curry Paste)
• 1 15 oz. can unsweetened coconut milk
• 1/8 cup freshly chopped cilantro
• ½ fresh lime

Directions

1. Salt and pepper the chicken thighs generously.
2. In a heavy bottom pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Place the chicken into the pot, leaving space between the pieces, taking care not to crowd the chicken and working in batches if necessary. Leave the chicken for 4-5 minutes, flip once, and brown the other side. If the chicken sticks or is hard to remove when you try to flip it, don’t force it, just give it another minute or two before you flip it. Don’t move the chicken around either! You want to give it time to develop a nice sear.
3. Once the chicken is browned on both sides (don’t worry if it’s not cooked through), remove the chicken and place on a plate, set aside. In the same pot, add remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and leave any chicken drippings. Add the onions and carrots and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the other veggies you are using, garlic, and chilies, if using. Saute the veggies for another 3-4 minutes, or a few additional minutes especially if you are using potatoes or other veggies.
4. While the veggies are cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together half of the curry paste, curry power (if using), and coconut milk. Set aside.
5. Now, make a space in the veggies and add the other half of the curry paste and toast the paste lightly in the small place at the bottom of the pan for 1 minute.
6. Then stir to coat the veggies in the paste and add the coconut milk mixture. Bring the coconut milk to a simmer, then add the chicken and juices back into the pot, nestling the chicken in to the milk.
7. Simmer everything on low for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and all veggies are cooked. Stir occasionally to make sure the coconut milk doesn’t scorch. Once the chicken and veggies are done, serve over rice with some freshly chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Image and recipe reprinted with permission from www.eatingininstead.com and www.healthyaperture.com

Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pull Apart Bread

Ingredients
1/3 cup favorite flavored dipping oil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 (16 ounce) pkgs pre-made pizza dough or homemade pizza dough
1 (7 oz) pkg sliced pepperoni
1 (8 oz) pkg shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2. Separate pizza dough into small bite sized pieces.
3. In a bowl add your favorite flavored dipping oil. Toss dough pieces in dipping oil to lightly coat.
4. Layer dough pieces in bottom of bundt or fluted tube pan, next layer sliced pepperoni, shredded cheese and sprinkle with garlic powder. Repeat layers again, and end with final layer of dough pieces.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until the bread is browned and cooked through in the center, 30-40 min
6. Remove from oven, and invert the pan on a cutting board; the bread will fall out of the pan in one piece.
7. Serve by pulling the bread apart into individual servings with optional marinara dipping sauce on the side.

You can layer until about 2/3 of the pan is full. Definitely plan for it to feed a hungry crowd. You can scale down the ingredients if you choose to feed a smaller crowd. You can serve it hot or room temperature — 

Seafood and Rice

Ingredients

2 onions, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon Granulated Garlic

2 1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup flour

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, or to taste

2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce

1 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 1/2 lb lump crabmeat

1/4 cup green onions, chopped

1/4 cup fresh parsley or 1 1/2 tablespoon Dried Parsley

3 cups cooked Basmati or brown rice

In a large stockpot, sauté onions and celery in olive oil until softened, about 10 minutes, stir in garlic granules.

Combine chicken broth and flour and stir until smooth. Add to celery mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes.

Add lemon juice, cayenne and Tabasco sauce. Add shrimp and cook about 5 minutes.

Add crabmeat, green onions and parsley and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Serve over rice.

Makes 8 servings

Classic Chicken Pot Pie

1. 1tablespoon olive oil
2. 6bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
3. kosher salt and black pepper
4. 4stalks celery, chopped
5. 4carrots, chopped
6. 2onions, chopped
7. 2tablespoons fresh thyme leaves or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
8. 2cloves garlic, chopped
9. 2bay leaves
10. 2 1/2cups all-purpose flour
11. 1tablespoon baking powder
12. 1/2teaspoon baking soda
13. 6tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
14. 3/4cup buttermilk
15. 2tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, plus more for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Brown in batches, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; reserve the pot.
2. Add the celery, carrots, onions, thyme, and garlic to the drippings in the pot and cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the chicken, bay leaves, and 10 cups water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and transfer the chicken to a plate; let cool. Shred the chicken with 2 forks and return it to the pot (discarding the skin and bones).
3. Whisk together ½ cup of the flour, 2 cups of the cooking liquid, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly whisk the flour mixture back into the pot and simmer until slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Make the dumplings: Whisk together the remaining 2 cups of flour, the baking powder, baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk in the butter, buttermilk, and parsley. Reduce heat to low and drop the mixture into the broth in 8 large spoonfuls. Simmer, covered, until the dumplings are firm, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve sprinkled with parsley.

Labor Day Weekend Activities!!!

Detroit Jazz Festival
Detroit, Mich.
Sept. 4-7
The Detroit Jazz Festival is a downtown gem. It’s one of the year’s premier events that showcases Detroit’s authentic cultural flair. Whether you’re a hardcore jazz fan or not you’ll find an appreciation for the history and longevity of Detroit’s jazz scene. (The festival alone is now in its 34th year.) From Campus Martius Park to Hart Plaza and Detroit’s International RiverWalk you’ll find big names in the industry—think Terence Blanchard, Ramsey Lewis and Pat Metheny. A total of 100 acts will send smooth tunes across five stages. Staying true to its mission of nurturing young jazz musicians, each year the jazz fest hands the spotlight over to college and high school ensembles for performances on the Education Stage. There’s not much else like seeing young people inspired. 

Michigan Renaissance Festival

12600 Dixie Hwy, Holly, MI 48442
www.michrenfest.com
Weekends Aug. 22-Oct. 4, Labor Day and Oct. 2
Ever wonder how the Knights of the Round Table lived? A 35-year-old tradition, Ren Fest takes you back to the late 16th century to a fictional English village called Hollygrove. You’ll find yourself rubbing elbows with pirates, wizards, fairies, trolls and other fantasy characters. The costumed presenters will juggle, joust, sing and dance to Celtic, folk and maritime music. There are scheduled shows, crafts, face and body art, jewelry, instruments, children’s toys, handbags, hats and period-specific clothing.

Ford Arts, Beats & Eats

516 S. Lafayette St.
Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 541-7550
www.artsbeatseats.com

Sept. 4-7
Do you prefer arts, beats or eats? Never mind choosing; have all three at one of the state’s favorite cultural fests. (The numbers prove it; in 2014 more than 365,000 visitors attended). This year marks the No. 18 for AB&E. Arts: Soak up works from artists around the country at the Juried Fine Art Show. They’ll put up their best brushes forward since they’re competing. Works include ceramics, photography, jewelry, sculpture, wood, glass, fabric and digital art. Beats: While deciding which masterpiece will look best over your fireplace, tap your toes to the tunes of local and other musical artists on nine stages across downtown. Eats: The deliciously diverse options come from some of the finest grub spots in The D. Whether you’re eyeing comforting mac ‘n’ cheese or sweet potato pie or a Priority Health-labeled gluten-free, low-carb or vegan option, our tip is to do a few laps before making a selection.

Michigan State Fair
Novi, Mich.
Sept. 4-7
Cooking demos. Racing pigs. Carnival rides. Shopping. There’s only one place you can do it all: the Michigan State Fair. A true-to-form family-friendly event, the fair got its claim to fame in 1840 in Detroit by being one of the country’s first statewide fair events. With such a legacy, today’s fair strives to reflect its roots of supporting agriculture, small business and family entertainment while celebrating the new direction of the Michigan Agriculture Industry. The Equestrian Pavilion horse shows are back to feature famous riders and horses from across the state. The Shrine Circus, founded in Detroit, with a repertoire of a century full of performances, will deliver laughs, thrills and elephants. You can also count on live music, a farmers market, an arts exhibit, a beer garden, dog performances … you get the point. It’s going to be a good time.

Romeo Peach Festival
12600 Dixie Highway
Holly, MI 48442
(248) 634-5552
www.michrenfest.com
Sept. 4-6
The second-oldest festival in Michigan deserves a few nods. The Romeo Peach Festival started in 1931 and has ripened into a multi-activity affair for the entire family. It’s a visual spectacle in Romeo’s downtown, with several parades and car events. But crowds always find themselves most giddy over the crowning of the Peach Queen. To burn off the calories after your peach cobbler, register for the Fun Run/5K/10K Race. Then round out your experience with the Craft Show and Business Expo, Paint and Pour at the Lion’s Den and a Farmer’s Breakfast. Ever heard of a bed race? It may have nothing to do with the peach, but you’ll find that here, too.

Hamtramck Labor Day Festival
Between Caniff St. and Carpenter St.
Hamtramck, MI 48212
(313) 333-7523
www.hamtownfest.com

Dates: Aug. 31 to Sept. 1, 2014 - Head over to Ham-town, that enclave of melded cultures, for a chance have some good old fashioned fun. For over 30 years, The Hamtramck Labor Day Festival has been hosting great times for families in the community. Bring the kids because they’ll love the carnival rides, parade and traditional canoe race. See the work of local and regional artists while strolling through Artists Alley. Then check out the live bands, dance the day away and chow down on some tasty culinary

 delights. All of this and more is going down in the streets of Hamtarmck from August 31 to September 1, 2014!