Planning pays off as Farmerstown Frolic Days continues to grow

On the map Farmerstown doesn’t eat up a whole lot of space. It’s amazing how a little potential can go a long way with a little bit of planning.

That’s what Mike Shetler thought last year when prepping for the annual Farmerstown Frolic Days, when area merchants and residents roll out the carpet for anyone wanting to visit and maybe spend a buck or two.

The 2025 renewal will take place June 30 and July 1. Shetler said last year between 1,100 and 1,200 people came to the area, based on the amount of food served.

“That was up a lot from the years before,” he said. “They were ready for 1,000 people, and they ran out of food by lunchtime.”

Shetler would not guarantee better numbers this year. Too many factors are in play, most notably weather. He also did not want to bet against it.

Situated in Southeastern Holmes County, the unincorporated Farmerstown is not one of those places you’re likely to wind up by accident. A few miles southeast of Sugarcreek, the Holmes County hamlet is quiet for the other 363 days a year.

What Shetler wanted to make sure happened last year was an event to which people would want to make their way back — and maybe even tell a few others about it.

It wasn’t Shetler didn’t think the Frolic Days were good. He just wanted the event to be better and believed it could be. A lack of organization may have been the missing ingredient.

So by streamlining the 2024 edition, an act that included creating a board to run it, Shetler believes the answers were found.

“Basically, whereas before in previous years, it was a couple local businesses, and it worked for a number of years,” he said. “But those businesses also wanted to run sales, but they were busy with their own stores, looking to get things together. Now with three or four different heads to get things together and not being part of a retail business, those (merchants) get to have their businesses involved.”

Businesses involved this year include Back Country Botanicals, Beachy’s Nylon Harness Shop, Farmerstown Axle Company, Farmerstown General Store, Farmerstown Shoe ’N’ Gift Shop, Holmes School Books, Homestead Herbs, Marie’s Flower Shop and Valley Farm Supply. All should have their doors open as part of the Frolic Days.

There will be other changes this year such as a bounce house for kids, along with old staples like a vendor show and garage sales. Shetler said the number of homes participating in the garage sales was already approaching 40 heading into the week. Maps will be available so garage sale hoppers will know where to find participating sales.

“Basically, if a whole family comes there, there’s going to be something for basically everybody,” Shetler said. “If there’s parents attending the garage sales, there’s got to be something for the kids to do.”

There also will be food. Shetler said guests can feast on the likes of burgers, chicken sandwiches, French fries, noodles and homemade ice cream, along with bubble tea and kettle corn.

“Families in and around Farmerstown will take turns helping out at the lunch stand,” Shetler said. “The money raised will go to local widows.”