Payson farm festival wraps up today

PAYSON — For the second year in a row, Amelia Dumas is assembling a variety of vendors for her second annual Country Farm Fest on her family's five-acre West Mountain farm complete with Victorian house and red barn.

Dumas is the mother of triplets, all of whom are involved in Future Farmers of America. The festival gives them a chance to practice many of the things they are learning about agriculture. At age 14, Kiersten has organized a petting zoo, while Eric put together a straw maze. Derek involved his Mt. Nebo Junior High drama class to put on an "enchanted forest."

"It's a trick-or-treat alley," Dumas said, with each drama student taking a role as a fictional character from traditional fairy tales.

Her husband, Scott Dumas, handles the antique tractor display, which includes his restored 1948 Farmall C tractor.

"It's a lifelong dream," Amelia Dumas said. "I like to throw a big party."

Admission is free for the festival, which opened Thursday and ends today at the Dumas farm, 4058 W. 9600 South. The various vendors charge for their activities, such as pony rides and the Jack-o-Lantern Hayride. Events include costume contests, soap making demonstrations, music, cowboy poetry, pumpkin carving, an auction and pig wrestling.

Daily activities include the tractor display, craft fair, hayrides, farmers market and other events.

"At first I had to get the word out" to get vendors, Amelia Dumas said. "Now they find me."

Eventually, she said, "I'd like to make an income."