KING FERRY - Neil Stevens grew up on a dairy farm, and even though he is not a child anymore he still believes that the old way of farming is a very important concept that should not be forgotten.

“My grandmother used to use these machines to farm,” he said of the hay baling demonstrations during the Wheat Harvest Festival in King Ferry Saturday afternoon. “It is important not to forget the history of our community.”

Stevens, along with longtime friend Kim Wheeler, drove the Long Hill Fire Department truck in the parade that graced the streets during the festivities.

“It is a great way to bring everyone out,” Wheeler said. “Just about the whole community is here.”

The community event got its start 13 years ago when the traditional Old King Ferry Days were canceled due in part to a lack of financial resources, according to event coordinator Dan Utter.

“It is just a good time family event,” Utter said. “It has really blossomed over the years and luckily we have always had good weather.”

Utter said that each year a group of community volunteers join together to coordinate and run the event.

According to Utter planning for this year's festivities began in January with himself and Barb Littlejohn.

“It takes a lot of time and volunteers but it is worth it,” he said.

And there were no shortage of events during the festivities with children's games, horse and buggy rides, face paintings, music, food and even a pie eating contest scheduled throughout the day.

The annual chicken barbecue held during the event was so popular that it was said to have sold out within 2 hours of its start.

The Southern Cayuga FFA was on hand with a restored Allis Chalmers WC tractor that will be raffled off next week.

“Each year the state FFA restores a tractor to be raffled,” said Southern Cayuga FFA advisor, Andy Miller. “The tractor goes to different chapters of the FFA throughout the summer to sell raffle tickets. This year the tractor will be raffled during the Empire Farm Day in Seneca Falls next week.”

The New York State Draft Horse Club, which also helped sponsor the event, sold raffles for a yearling.

Active bee hives seemed to be the big attraction for the children, with Bob and Shirley Kozlowski demonstrating the process of honey making in the crafters tent.

“We like to bring the hives,” Shirley said. “People really seem to like to see the process.”

The annual Wheat Harvest Festival is sponsored by area businesses and organizers plan to continue the tradition for many years to come.�