July marked the 80th Anniversary of Sunset Hill Farm County Park. Being a farm with tons of interesting history and stories to share, a day of celebration was the perfect way to commemorate its growth and development. With activities to watch and participate in all afternoon, guests had a chance to experience some old traditions and learn about history of the beloved farm in Valparaiso.
“The County Park that we all know today started out as a family farm," said Dana Yake, communications director for the Porter County Parks. "Colonel Murray donated the farm to the parks system, ultimately making it the park that we enjoy now. To celebrate the 80th Anniversary, Sunset Hill Farm invited many of the families, friends, and visitors that have come within the last 80 years, to come back to the park."
With the help and hard work from Porter County Parks & Recreation, the festival honored Ethel and Lloyd Prosser, a family that worked on the original farm, for their hard work. As well as Art Willing, who was the first park board president, for all of his contributions.
The field was filled with things to do. From crafts, a museum, face painting, and a Mega Obstacle Course, provided by Bounce N Around, there was lots to do for people of all ages, who enjoy the Farm.
One of the big highlights of the event was a vintage baseball game. Playing by the rules of 1858, the Deep River Grinders took on the newly formed, Sunset Hill Colonels. The players were dressed in appropriate 1850s attire and played a nice game of baseball as fine gentlemen from the 1800s would.
Harry Miller (Micky Miller) was one of the original players for the Sunset Hill Colonels. Started in 1960, the Sunset Hill Colonels traveled around the county playing the game that they loved, sponsor by the one-and-only, Colonel Murray.
“I think it’s really neat that they put a new Sunset Hill Colonels team together. It is great what they have done with this park!” said Miller.
With such a rich history, Sunset Hill Farm County Park continues to provide a fun place for families to visit and learn about the past of a farm that many grew up with.
“The best part of this event is having all the families get together and enjoy being out here in the park. There is multiple generations of people who have either lived here, worked here, volunteered here, or played here today. There are four generations of families that have history at this facility. This is a chance for them to all come together and enjoy the facility,” said Walter Lenckos, superintendent for Porter County Parks & Recreation.