Dawn Farm staff, clients, alumni and community members gathered on the organization’s 74-acre property between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday in celebration of recovery from addiction as well as 40 years as a non-profit providing aid to those recovering from substance abuse.

Clowns wove through visitors, between tents and around booths, honking an oversized horn or waving and shouting jokes like ‘stop clowning around’ while guests strolled through the farm grounds.

Children dug through hay stacks, waited anxiously in line for a pony ride and scaled a bouncy house obstacle course wall while parents caught up with old friends.

Across from the children’s activity tent, resting in the shade with a friend sat South Lyon Resident and Dawn Farm alumna Marcie Carson.

“I used to come here years ago for sobriety support,” Carson said. “This is my fifth time coming to the Jamboree, but it’s my first time back in several years. It’s been great seeing old friends; all the people who have changed and grown so much.”

Carson’s friend who decided to join her for a day of music and good food, Marlene King, said she thinks the organization has done a lot for the community.

“It’s a great support system,” King said. “and I think this event definitely shows just how much support the organization can and will provide.”

Sitting at a table enjoying lunch with his wife, Ypsilanti resident since the the 1970s Mitch Sneed echos King’s admiration for Dawn Farm.

“We’re here supporting the cause, getting some lunch and buying a few things,” Sneed said. “It’s a good cause and we try and come every year if we’re around for it.”

Dawn Farm Project Manager Tamara Shirely said it is fun to see people supporting the organization and enjoying the day. She said the children’s tent with free activities and games is always the biggest attraction followed closely by the silent auction.

Shirely said the annual Jamboree is the organization’s biggest fundraiser.

“What happens here allows us to provide services for our clients who don’t have the funds to pay for it,” Shirely said. “It takes months of organizing and we set up for this day all week, but it’s always worth it.”

Local businesses and individuals donated goods and services to be auctioned off and between 200 and 250 volunteers signed up to help run the event, Shirely said.

Food vendors including Top Dog, Pizza House and Blimpy Burger set up booths and donated a portion of their proceeds to the Farm.

Chelsea Hoedl is an intern reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at choedl@mlive.com.