The Yamhill County Historical Society is excited to announce Hay Day/Play Day 2025. Saturday, June 21, 8:30 am-3:00 pm, featuring a pancake breakfast and our annual Vintage Baseball game. This event is held at the Yamhill Valley Heritage Center, 11275 SW Durham Ln. McMinnville, OR. Admission is $5, pancake breakfast is an additional $10.
Ready to play?! We are. Join us for a full day of family fun that kicks off at 8:30am with a pancake breakfast featuring Bigfoot Food Products famous maple syrup. Proceeds from the breakfast will go to support the Historical Society’s program schedule. After breakfast you won’t want to miss our antique equipment demonstrating haying techniques, hay and baseball related activities, food, and music featuring the Whiskey Flats Brass Band from the Columbia Gorge Museum. Then, at 1:00pm, head on over to the baseball field and watch the YCHS Gristmillers take on the Portland Pioneers in a Vintage Baseball game 1880’s style…NO GLOVES!
Hay harvesting techniques and equipment are performed by draft animals and vintage machinery. Demonstrators recreate the process of making loose hay with horses and mules, as done in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Harvesting techniques taking place at the event include mowing, tedding, raking, operating a hay loader, manually putting up shocks and loading wagons, using a buck rake powered by animals, and operating a hay derrick.
One won’t want to miss our authentic 19th-century baseball experience in the afternoon. Wooden bats, no gloves, and bases of all sizes are some of the favorites for the spirited “cranks” – enthusiastic fans who engage with the game. Arbitrators (umpires) keep the play fair and follow the rules, while adding to the aura of the era. The Vintage Baseball game is a fantastic opportunity for families and history enthusiasts to come together, enjoy the outdoors, and learn about the local heritage in a fun and engaging way.
Heather Farquhar, Executive Director, says “this is a dynamic event full of interactive and engaging activities for the entire family that are all American. Summertime is reminiscent of pancakes, the smell of crops and a great baseball game”.
The Yamhill County Historical Society began in 1957. It’s mission is to protect, preserve, and share the history and heritage of Yamhill County. The Society houses the vast Museum’s collections, research library, changing exhibits, store, and administrative offices. They are currently open Wednesday through and Saturday from 10:00am – 4:00pm. Admission is $5.
For more information, visit: yamhillcountyhistory.org or phone 503-472-2842. Media Contact: office@yamhillcountyhistory.org. Yamhill County Historical Society: Heather Farquhar.