Spring Event at Merriam Feed
Saturday, April 12th was the kind of day that makes us wish spring lasted all year.
Our Merriam Feed Spring Event packed the barn, the backyard, and probably a few strollers too.
The sun showed up, the community showed up, and the coffee showed up right on time. Let’s talk highlights—because there were a lot of them.
Saturday, April 12th showed up with sunshine, a barn full of baby animals, and a community that knows how to make the most of a spring day. Our Spring Event at Merriam Feed was one for the memory books—the kind you look back on and think, “Yeah… that was a really good Saturday.”
Our barn turned into the cutest corner of Merriam for the day. Baby goats, donkeys, cows, and one very sleepy baby lamb (who still got plenty of pets). Kids—and let’s be honest, more than a few adults—lined up all morning to get their snuggles in. Huge thanks to Orrick Acres, who brought the whole adorable crew. They’re always a joy to work with, and somehow their animals are better behaved than most people in line at the DMV. Calm, gentle, and totally ready for the spotlight—every single animal was a star. A few guests casually asked if they could take a goat home. We pretended not to hear that.
In the store, the kids’ station was just good ole F-U-N in the best possible way. Our face painter was cranking out butterflies, tigers, and sparkly superheroes like a pro, while on the other side of the store, our balloon artist worked their balloon magic. The place filled with balloon ninjas, dinosaurs, and one proud little girl who swore her balloon horse was “actually a unicorn.” We believe her.
Craft time wasn’t just a table in the corner—it was a full-on creative explosion. At the DIY flower pot station, kids decorated their own pots and planted something to take home. Parents got a break, kids got a little messy, and everyone left with dirt under their fingernails and smiles on their faces. But the sneaky MVP of the day? The corn sensory bins. We filled up two oversized bins with whole corn, tossed in a mess of farm toys, and let the kids go to town. It was the quietest kind of chaos—kids digging, scooping, and staging full-blown tractor rescues while their parents stood nearby and said things like, “Why is this… relaxing?” One dad got so into it he forgot his coffee on the roof of the stroller. We get it.
Want to recreate it at home? We’ve got a step-by-step how-to here, complete with a supply list (spoiler alert: we’ve got the corn).
Spring at Merriam Feed was one for the books. From baby goats in the barn to sprinkle-covered smiles, this quick video captures all the highlights from our Spring Event on April 12th!
Meanwhile, over by the donut table, we had our hands full in the most delicious way. Free coffee and donuts from local legend Mr. D’s disappeared fast. Several people asked if we do this every Saturday. We don’t but we love your optimism.
And then there was the raffle action. Four themed baskets—chickens, dogs, gardening, and grass seed—each one packed with goodies and just enough friendly competition. Some of you campaigned harder for that chicken basket than we’ve seen in local elections. The Guess the Number of Ducks jar got wild too. Some guesses were calculated. Some were psychic. One kid guessed fourteen million and his mom just nodded like, “yeah, checks out.” The correct number was 446. All winners have been notified by phone (because yes, we still believe in phone calls).
What really made the day though? You. Our community. The familiar faces who stop in weekly, the new families who wandered over for the first time, the kids who thanked the animals after petting them (yes, that happened), and the neighbors who stayed long after their donuts were gone, just enjoying the good company. That’s what this store has always been about.
We say it a lot, but we’ll say it again louder for the folks in the back: you are what makes Merriam Feed feel like home.
And we’re not done yet. Our Fall Event is already in the works—think pumpkins, costumes, cider, and maybe another guessing jar to ruin your math confidence. Keep an eye on our socials and in-store signs for the official date.
Until then, we’ll be here slinging seed, swapping stories, and refilling the coffee pot. See you soon.
