Gail’s Pumpkin Patch now open for the season and looking forward to Fall Farm Day this coming Sunday

 

[September 11, 2024] 

On Tuesday, Gail’s Pumpkin Patch in rural Beason opened its doors for the season. This year the patch is filled with fun items that encourage play and family time. While the opening was on Tuesday, there were shoppers gathering, checking out the pumpkins and gourds that are offered as well as looking to the many fun games and play areas where kids can be kids no matter how old or young they may be or feel.

This year there are a couple of new items to complement the many traditional attractions. Look for them when you go out this weekend for the Fall Farm Day on Sunday, September 15th.

First the tube tunnel has been expanded not just to be a bit longer and more intricate, but also there is a large tube section that has been added and is quite impressive. Pumpkin Patch owner Gail Apel-Sasse said that she had heard comments that the large tunnel piece was the perfect addition for senior citizens as it was so big, most adults can go into it without even bending over, let alone getting on hands and knees.

There are other fun things this year to check out in the back yard of the patch including the new Rusty the Tractor. Now you really need to take the tunnel to find him, but if you take that hint, you might come across him without getting down on your hands and knees.

The traditional cast of living characters at the patch includes the goats that will be in their pen and perhaps climbing their goat tower. Spend a few cents in the retail area for a cub of food to feed them and they will be your friends for the rest of your stay.

The chickens and rooster are also back and of course be sure to look for the latest litters of kittens out in the far barn and maybe even roaming about the retail barn.

In the retail area there are tons of items to help motivate you to enjoy the Halloween and upcoming Thanksgiving season.

There are such adorable items as pumpkin bibs and booties for the infants, tractor rocky “horses” for toddlers along with hair ribbons, toys and books for the slightly older children and cool pieces of jewelry for these in their teens and beyond.

Then of course there are the many food offerings, from food to eat while you shop such as popcorn with warm caramel topping or a caramel apple sundae. There are also many things to grab and take home for later such as the Amish made jams, butters, and jellies, and cookies to take or eat on the spot along with pumpkin donuts and apple cider.

Obviously there will be plenty of pumpkins and gourds along with edible squash and much more. Then there are the apples. David Sasse is quickly becoming known as the apple-man at the patch. He said his more or less permanent position is to man the apple wash area, where he washes and sorts the apples, culling out the seconds and bagging up for sale at the counter only the pretties of the bunch. David Sasse said this year the red apples started coming on earlier than normal, and on Tuesday he had bags of large, beautiful Honey Crisp and Gala apples bagged up for customers to grab as they went through the retail area.

The golden apples he says are not quite as far along, but he predicts that within the next couple of weeks he will have an ample supply of Golden Delicious which is an excellent eating apple.

Gail’s will be open six days a week until October 31st. They are closed on Tuesday’s for cleaning the premises.

On Sunday, September 15th, the community is encouraged to come out and enjoy the fall farm day events at the patch. Nuthatch Hill will be on hand selling food. Lincoln Native “California Jeff” will be providing live music. The playground areas will be open to all, the popcorn wagon will be running, and as always, you can choose pumpkins that have been picked for you, or enjoy a little exercise and family fun by going to the field to choose your own.

Admission is always free at Gail’s Pumpkin patch and families are encouraged to come out and just take in an afternoon of play in the fresh air and sunshine at the patch.

[Nila Smith]