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By Jacob Moon
WELLSVILLE -- Kids carrying kids -- the baby goat, that is. This seemed to be the theme for Baby Animal Day, an event sponsored by the American West Heritage Center. The center was packed last weekend with people who wanted to pet the baby animals and see an old-fashioned farm up close. Luke Waldron, volunteer coordinator for the program, said, besides a new horse, most of the baby animals were born just a few days prior to the event. "They couldn't have come at a more perfect time," he said. "The only one we are waiting for is the mare. She is ready to have to colt at any minute." Waldron said the center had chicks that hatched just a day before and the goats and calves were born within the last week. Rebecca Wheatley, an 8-year-old from Draper, said she loved seeing all of the baby animals because they are all so cute. "My favorite ones were the kitties," she said. "But the bunnies and puppy were really fun to hold too." The event brought children like Rebecca and their families from all over Utah and Idaho. There were more people than the center had planned on, said Margaret Lawless, the center's membership coordinator. "We had so many people yesterday [Friday] that we ran out of food and had to shut down the concessions," she said. More than 6,000 people came to see the animals Friday. Waldron said he is happy with the turnout because so many people who don't normally have the opportunity to see a farm can come and have this small experience. "IIt used to be that everyone had a farm and had to live off the land," he said. "I love to see the children who don't usually have a chance hold and cuddle the baby animals." Along with the kittens, bunnies, goats, sheep, piglets, calves, chicks and ducklings for children to see and touch, the center also had demonstrations depicting normal life for families in the 1800s. Bob and Jenny King, for instance, were giving a demonstration on shearing sheep by hand. The sheep would lie calmly as Bob held its head between his legs and told the small crowd about how he did his job. "This sheep will produce about 10 pounds of wool in a year," he said. "But we will probably get 14 pounds off of the larger ram." More than 70 volunteers like the Kings were dressed in costumes from the time period and sharing facts about the old way of life. "We couldn't do it without the volunteers," Waldron said. The center is run on mostly a volunteer basis, and Waldron said the 100 volunteers they have now is just barely enough. He would like to have upwards of 200 so the center could grow and run more smoothly. "The volunteers we have do a tremendous job," he said. "They are even here today during their spring break. We really appreciate the work they do." He said anyone who is interested should contact the center at any time.
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