Fall Fest Auction Raises $4,140 for Frederick County Farm Museum

A chocolate cake took grand champion honors, a carrot cake brought an even higher bid, and two hand-painted saws helped turn a fall afternoon into a $4,140 fundraiser for the Frederick County Farm Museum. The auction was part of Sunday’s Fall Fest at Rose Hill Manor Park and Museums, where families explored agricultural exhibits and children competed on miniature pedal-powered tractors. According to The Frederick News-Post, museum president Kitty Gialanella said the entire $4,140 raised through the auction will benefit the museum. David Crum baked the grand champion chocolate cake with chocolate icing, which Pam and Danny Moser purchased for $220. Crum told the newspaper he had not expected to win, although the recipe had earned the same recognition at the auction years earlier. Of the 16 cakes offered, a carrot cake made by Kitty McKenzie sold for $240. McKenzie organized the auction with her daughter, Ashley Godles, marking their first year coordinating it together. Auctioneer Ralph Hansberger joined the bidding himself, purchasing a red velvet cake for $200. Two hand-painted saws also drew substantial bids, selling for $310 and $1,000. Earlier in the afternoon, children competed in a pedal tractor pull run by Sarah Steelman of Plow Boy Pedal Pullers. Participants tried to travel as far as possible along a 38-foot track. Six-year-old Emma Fry earned first place in her age bracket. Four-year-old Atley Nusbaum of Lewistown also participated, with her parents coming specifically so she could enter the competition. Beyond the auction and activities, visitors toured museum buildings displaying agricultural equipment from the early 20th century. Gialanella told the newspaper she hopes those exhibits help visitors understand Frederick County’s farming heritage. The event connected that history with a day of family activities while raising money for the museum that preserves it.