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 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.
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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] |
