Food, music, a sale of homemade baked goods and crafts, visits with live farm animals and a chance to win prizes will be some of the activities featured at Hope Springs Farm, 201 Trail Road, Hershey, during the nonprofit organization's annual Fall Harvest BBQ fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mission BBQ will cater the event and offer pulled pork, brisket, pulled chicken and sides. The Sweet Dawgs Frozen Yogurt truck will also be on hand.

The event is also designed to showcase the homemade items created by farm program participants, called growers, who are adults in the community with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The growers have been busy over the past several weeks harvesting fruits and vegetables from the garden to make homemade food items that will be available for purchase.

"We have been on a canning spree," said Amanda Ream, program director. "We made salsas, jams and jellies and pickles of every flavor and corn relish. With our harvested calendula and thyme, we made shortbread cookies to freeze. We made zucchini loaves and used the pumpkins to make pumpkin bread. Our grapes are doing (well); we hope to make grape jelly."

Additionally, program participants plan to sell yarn made from the fibers of the farm's own alpacas and sheep as well as crafts, such as birdhouses, tea towels decorated with leaf prints and wind chimes.

Fresh vegetables will be for sale, as well as plants. "(The growers) go out to thrift stores and find unique pots and (plant) houseplants and succulents (in them) from the greenhouse," Ream noted. "You can find plants in colanders, coffee pots and teacups."

Visitors may also see paintings done by the farm's "Pigcassos." "We put paint on the canvas, and we put (plastic) wrap on top, sprinkle food and the pigs will push their noses around why they are scooping up the treats," Ream explained. "That's pretty fun to watch."

Music will be offered by a DJ, and there will be a cake walk. "We have animals all over the property in different pastures, so people can walk around and visit them," Ream said.

Those who attend the event will also have an opportunity to win a variety of themed gift baskets filled with items that have been donated by the community. Other prizes will include gift cards to Water Golf on City Island in Harrisburg and the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey, Philadelphia Eagles memorabilia, a Hershey's chocolate basket and a handmade quilt.

Hope Springs Farm has more than 50 adults enrolled in its day program. Growers not only care for the animals and gardens on the farm, but also volunteer for programs in the community such as Meals on Wheels, the Humane Societies of Harrisburg and Lebanon, the York SPCA and local food banks.

"(Proceeds from the fundraiser) will support the different areas, whether it be our gardening program, our animal program and the community outings we go on," said Colby Zimmerman, executive director.

For tickets to the Fall Harvest BBQ or more information, visit http://www.hopespringsfarm.org. Tickets will also be sold at the door.