Up until the 1960s, most farm women could count on having three aprons - a ratty one for everyday, a nicer one for when company visited, and a Sunday apron.
Although they have mostly disappeared from farm life, aprons are still a respected part of ag tradition.
Farmfest brings tens of thousands of folks in the ag business to the area every year. In evenings, or when they’re waiting for their spouses, they need something to do.
In honor of Farmfest coming up next week, and of the thousands of women who will attend, many local merchants are teaming up for a special, three-day promotion with an apron theme.
“Tie One On in Redwood Falls” is described as an “Apron/Art Crawl” in the ads and posters.
The way it works is participants pick up a passport from a participating merchant, then get their passports stamped while visiting local businesses.
“Tie One On” was designed to give female Farmfest attendees an opportunity to take a few hours off to relax, and enjoy discovering specials at local businesses.
The “Tie One On” promotion was inspired by the second annual Farmfest Women’s Breakfast, being held on August 5 at the Tauer Pavilion at the Gilfillan Estate.
Julie Rath, Economic Development Specialist at the Redwood Area Development Corporation (RADC), said the “Tie One On” promotion was originally set to take place just on the third day of Farmfest, the same day as the Women’s Breakfast.
However, local businesses wanted to take it further, and hold the promotion all three days of Farmfest.
This year’s Women’s Breakfast features Esther Duncan, an expert on farm aprons.
Duncan will lecture about the legacy of farm women’s aprons, and will encourage women to bring in their aprons to share.
For more information, contact the RADC at 507-637-4004.
