Celebrating the Grand Opening of the Draft Horse Depot
May 2024 marked a significant milestone for Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead as we gathered to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the brand-new Draft Horse Depot. This momentous event represents the culmination of years of dedication, planning, and hard work. As the Friends of the Farmstead (FOF), the nonprofit fundraising group that made this project possible, we are thrilled to share this achievement with our community.
Reflecting on our journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the pioneers who initiated the hayride tradition at the Farmstead back in 1993. The vision of Kevin Bowling, Sandy Queen, and Jim Cox, combined with the support of the city council, laid the foundation for what would become a cherished experience for our visitors. Through their dedication and foresight, The Sharp Family was contracted to begin leading the hayrides for our guests, creating memories that have lasted for decades. The Sharp Family’s connection to draft horses spans six generations, starting on a family farm just four miles south of the Farmstead in 1881. Three generations of the Sharp Family have proudly driven teams at the Farmstead, providing over 1.6 million rides, covering more than 45,000 miles on the trail over the years.
The Sharp Family’s contributions and partnership with FOF run deep. Three years after the hayrides began, wagon ride operator Rodney Sharp came up with the innovative idea of a haunted hayride, giving birth to our Halloween event “Night of the Living Farm.” Two years later, he proposed the idea of a pumpkin patch, which led to the start of our “Pumpkin Hollow” event. These two signature events have been guest favorites for the past 27 and 25 years, respectively. The proceeds from these events, sponsored by the Friends of the Farmstead (FOF), have contributed to numerous improvements at the Farmstead, including the recent additions of Mackenzie’s Island, the Lucky Strike Mining Shack, and now the magnificent new Draft Horse Depot.
We owe a special thanks to Nancy McConnell, who embraced the idea of a Draft Horse Barn in 2014. Nancy, a devoted Farmstead visitor and former Chairperson of FOF, tirelessly championed this project. Her dedication bore fruit when she secured the first donation for the barn from the Sunderland Foundation in 2016, amounting to $200,000. Nancy’s love for the Farmstead and her unwavering support for our hayrides have left an indelible mark. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit and commitment shine brightly in the walls of this new facility.
Our gratitude also extends to Judy Sharp Colliver, who, despite living in Anaheim, California, has always maintained a deep connection to farming heritage. Her generous donation of $50,000 and significant donations from the H&R Block Foundation, Dunn Family Foundation, and Breidenthal-Snyder Foundation further propelled the Draft Horse Depot project forward.
The realization of this project would not have been possible without the continued support of all FOF members, both past and present, and the City of Overland Park. We also acknowledge the invaluable collaboration of Jeremy Meyers, Scott Gamerl, Virgil Miles, and all the Farmstead supervisors and their dedicated staff. Their hard work and cooperation have been instrumental in bringing the Draft Horse Depot to life.
A special shout-out goes to BBM Architect and Combs Construction for their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication. Visitors quickly see that the structure is a testament to their skill and commitment.
Our sentiments echo the meaningful words of Rodney Sharp, “We extend our deepest thanks to the outstanding Farmstead staff and the amazing volunteers who have worked alongside us over the years. Sharing our draft horses with the local community and visitors from across the nation and around the world has been a true honor. We are beyond grateful for this opportunity and look forward to many more years of creating cherished memories at the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead.”
Friends of the Farmstead extends our deepest gratitude to our members, event attendees, donors, and supporters. Your generous contributions have made this magnificent new addition possible for the community to experience and enjoy! Thank you for being a vital part of our journey and helping us create lasting memories for everyone who visits the Farmstead.