Gail’s Pumpkin Patch now open for its 10th Fall season

[September 11, 2015]  BEASON - This week Gail's Pumpkin Patch in rural Beason opened its doors for its 10th Fall season. The business owned by Gail Apple-Sasse and her husband Dave, focuses on one of the principal things we love about fall - pumpkins and other gourds, fall decorations for inside and out, and other items such as homegrown popcorn, apples and a wide variety of canned jams, jellies, and of course apple butter. The market also offers Sasse Apiary honey, harvested nearby by members of the Sasse family.

For those who are looking to decorate for fall, the variety of pumpkins offered is huge. The Pumpkin Patch offers pumpkins for cooking and eating, pumpkins that are the perfect size and shape for Halloween carving. Also, pumpkins are not just orange globes anymore. The offerings at Gail’s include a wide variety of colored pumpkins in a range of sizes and some with interesting textures, making them visually appealing in any setting.

The Pumpkin Patch is also a great place for family fun on the weekends. Open both Saturday and Sunday, families can make an afternoon of their visit as they participate in the various activities around the farm.

Once again this year there is the big black tunnel maze for kids along with the tricycle track. On the weekends the barrel train is also running, giving the little ones a ride around the farm.

New this year is the popcorn wagon. Gail explained recently that the wagon is hooked to an antique tractor, which she recently learned how to drive. Guests to the farm can take a wagon ride out to the Sasse popcorn patch and hand-pick the popcorn ears right off the stalks.

As always, the patch offers pumpkins and gourds already picked, or families can grab a little wagon and a big set of vine cutters and head to the pumpkin patch to choose their own perfect pumpkin.

Another new attraction this year is a very special talking pumpkin. Though it is a new attraction, it holds sentimental value for Gail and Dave because it is named after someone dear to them. Gail explained that for a while, the farm enjoyed having help each year from Bernie Benson. Bernie was a great guy that enjoyed being at the patch each day and being a part of the excitement of the weekends when families were gathered there.

Gail said one day Bernie got sick, very sick, and within a day he was gone. When the Sasse's decided to purchase the talking pumpkin, they knew it would have to have a name, and right away they decided to name it Bernie, in memory of their friend.

When visitors come across Bernie, he will happily welcome them to the pumpkin patch, and then will give a nice story about the patch and all it has to offer its visitors.

This will be the first weekend of the season for the patch, and though it may be a little warm, it should still be a perfect time to visit Gail’s to enjoy the many activities, and do some fall decor shopping.

In addition to the pumpkins and gourds, Gail’s carries Indian Corn in large and miniature varieties, fall wreaths for indoors and out, beautiful table top decorations for fall centerpieces, and neat little scarecrows that can be hung on the front door.

The apples are good this year, and Sasse's have an eating variety as well as an applesauce apple, and a recipe for doing it yourself that Gail says is really good.

In addition, you can grab a fall cookbook put together by the Sasse family that offers many great recipes using pumpkin and squash.

On Sunday, September 13, Gail’s will hold its annual Fall Farm Day. The business will offer all the regular activities, but will add events and activities aimed at educating visitors about the value of farm products to their daily lives.

Included in the Farm Day activities will be pumpkin and face painting, farm tours, barn games, crafts, live bees, goats, and much more.

Gail’s will be open daily now through October 31 with kids activities on Saturdays and Sundays. The patch is a great place to visit and enjoy, but be sure to take the pocketbook cause we're betting you won't be able to resist buying at least a few of the great fall items the business has to offer!

Gail’s Pumpkin Patch is located at 1709 2000th Avenue, Beason. From Lincoln take Illinois State Route 10 east toward Clinton, seven miles. Look for the sign on the left hand side of the road as well as the blue state of Illinois Tourist Attraction signs near the turnoff.

[Nila Smith]