Enjoying Spring Growth

The event: A boot-stompin’ Country Hoe-Down benefiting the Centennial Farm at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. Staged Saturday by the Centennial Farm Foundation, the event drew 600 city slickers who dressed in everything from 10-gallon hats to broomstick-skirts.

Down on the farm: During the cocktail reception, guests roamed the 3-acre farm--which about 40,000 Orange County students visit annually--viewing 10-day-old piglets, 2-month-old kids, horses and Holstein bull calves. Docent Barbara Livingston was on hand to answer questions. Asked why hens like to perch upon a roost, she answered: “It reminds them of being in a tree.”

Before bellying up to a chuck-wagon buffet of barbecued chicken and beef, guests bid on silent-auction items and were serenaded by the All-American Boys Chorus (“Oklahoma!” “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” “Red River Valley”).

Old MacDonald: Standing near the farm’s lush garden area--sprouting with asparagus, cucumbers, carrots, zucchini squash, strawberries, kiwi and tomatillos--farm founder Jim Bailey talked about the value of the facility for children.

“Orange County kids needed a place where they could see farm animals and learn how things grow,” he said. “The farm brings them back to the roots of what made this country great.”

Quote: “I love it here,” said Candice Schnapp of Newport Beach, a member of the benefit committee. “I grew up in Michigan farm country, but I had to come all the way to Orange County before I saw a chicken egg actually hatched before my eyes.”

Bottom line: Proceeds of about $80,000 will go toward building a barn at the farm. The barn will cost about $400,000, Bailey said. So far, the foundation has raised about $300,000 for the project.

Farm helpers: Benefit chairwoman Mary Ann Archbold; Charlotte Cleary; Claire Einsmann; Gary Hayakawa; A.G. Kawamura; Bev Langston; Mack Ramsay; Lon Records; Ted Segerstrom; and Steven Walker. Also pitching in were Carol Arnesen; Donna Blue; Diane Jones; Gina Watkins; Heidi Kim; and Kathy Leek.

Visits to the farm: The farm is open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free. Information: (714) 708-1619.