Village Hosts Hayride Celebration

November 19, 1998

The Gov. Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village came alive Tuesday evening, Nov. 17, with a Harvest Hayride Celebration. Waco families and Baylor students showed up for a bonfire, games and the "World Famous James S. Wood Mule-Drawn Historical Tours" wagon rides.
Children played games like a donut toss, participated in a pie eating contest, bobbed for apples on a string, and had their caricature drawn. Prizes were donated by various local businesses. In addition to the Strecker Museum complex, event sponsors included Baylor Women's League, Resident Student Life Association, and H.E.B.
Gina Bays works at the Strecker Museum on campus and usually volunteers to work events at the Village. She and her children said they are regulars at Village activities.
James and Lindsey, Bays' children, said they like to come and see their friends from school. The children donated chickens to the village and said they like to check on them and say hello when their mom brings them to village events.
"Its really a lot of fun to come out here," Bays said, "especially because most events are family oriented and the kids enjoy being here."
Baylor students volunteered to work different booths. Many of the students are enrolled in the BIC course called Social World and are required to complete 12 hours of volunteer community work.
"I've volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Mission Waco," a Houston sophomore, Jason Treat, said, "but working this event for the Historic Village is the most fun."
Treat and his friends were in charge of a game booth where the kids had three chances to knock down bottles with a baseball. The student volunteers enjoyed interacting with the kids and watching their responses to getting a prize.
"The best prizes were given away first, but so many businesses have donated great stuff that the kids keep coming back to play more games," Treat said.