Rustic Ridge hosts inaugural Winterfest
Rustic Ridge Farm, 5193 Morgan Run Road, West Decatur, will host a Winterfest on Feb. 28. In addition to winter games, events and hot chocolate, kids and adults alike will have the opportunity to see all the animals at the farm, including miniature goats, cows, chickens, ducks and rabbits. — Courtesy photos
‘Disneyland of Moshannon Valley’ will offer family fun
By Andy Stine
astine@altoonamirror.com
WEST DECATUR — A few years ago, Cen-Clear Child Services approached Mel Curtis, who was the executive director of the Moshannon Valley YMCA at the time, about a farm in Morgan Run.
“They said, ‘We have this farm out here and we really don’t do anything with it,” Curtis said. “‘What do you think we could do with it?'”
Curtis’ vision became known as Rustic Ridge Farm, which has been in existence for about 2.5 years. He now serves as board chairman of the farm, which sits on more than 450 acres.
State Rep. Glenn Thompson has called the farm, “The Disneyland of Moshannon Valley.”
Rustic Ridge will be hosting their inaugural Winterfest on Feb. 28.
“Basically we’re going to give families the opportunity to come in and spend time together as a family unit,” Curtis said. “That’s really the process of what we’re trying to accomplish on everything.”
Activities planned for the event are still a work in progress, but there will be snow tubing, a large bonfire area, a snowman decorating contest, cross country skiing, an ice rink and hot chocolate.
Kids will also get a chance to see all the animals at the farm, which include miniature goats, cows, chickens, ducks and rabbits.
“We’re going to come up with additional ideas,” Curtis said. “We work with Penn State parks and rec kids. … It’s the first year we’ve been doing this. We’re baby-stepping through what all we do.”
The good news is everything will be free of charge to attendees.
The farm, owned by Cen-Clear Child Services, formed a board of directors that includes three members from Cen-Clear, three members from the Moshannon Valley YMCA, and Curtis as the chairman.
Curtis describes the farm as an educational facility. The company recently put in horse barns, an amphitheater and a stage. Free family movie nights on Fridays, and live music on Sunday afternoons are popular in the summer months.
The farm is only growing in popularity since it opened.
“We did a fall festival out there. We had way over 1,000 people,” Curtis said. “We were panicking towards the end trying to find parking. We were parking them in the fields. We learned a lesson real quick that we have to expand parking.”
Activities that are available at the farm include cornhole, horseshoe pits, volleyball, trails, archery, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
Campsites are also available, and there are now RV sites. Boy scouts have camped there in the past, and the farm plans on building cabins next year.
Future events planned at Rustic Ridge include an Easter egg hunt in April, a music festival in May, and a fall festival in October.
The goal is to teach children about agriculture, and Curtis has been working with the Clearfield County vo-tech school with an interest in starting an agricultural program at the vo-tech, and using the farm as their classrooms.
“That would be phenomenal,” Curtis said.
Rustic Ridge Farm is a short drive from Interstates 80 and 99, and anyone is welcome to come visit the farm for free of charge.
“You can do things and not spend a lot of money, and spend quality time with your family,” Curtis said. “This is really what this is all about.”