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For more than 15 years, Fall Farm
Day at Gail’s Pumpkin Patch has been a staple of Logan County’s
autumn season, drawing families, friends, and visitors to celebrate
agriculture, community, and the changing seasons. What began as a
modest gathering has steadily grown into a lively event with
activities for all ages, thanks in part to the early support of the
Logan County Tourism Bureau.
“They wanted to do more with agriculture and agritourism, and so
they have worked with me,” Gail Apel-Sasse explained, noting how the
bureau helped get the tradition off the ground. That partnership
laid the foundation for a festival that continues to evolve each
year, adapting to weather, community interests, and new ideas.
This year’s weather proved
cooperative, a relief for organizers who know how much conditions
can make or break the day. “Sunday was a wonderful day. We had
sunshine and a nice day, and I was worried it was going to get
rained out,” she said. “Luckily, we got rain after dinner last
night, and that was great. Everything was all put away and done and
everybody had gone home.”
The heart of Fall Farm Day lies in its mix of tradition and novelty.
Attendees return annually looking for both familiar favorites and
surprises. New this year was a floral arrangement activity led by
guest Stacy Schmidgall from Subtle Stems in Meiner. Guests created
bouquets inside white pumpkins—a twist that proved so popular that
organizers had to send workers to the fields mid-day to harvest more
pumpkins to meet demand.
“The flowers were more of an adult thing,” the Apel-Sasse noted,
“but with the kids, they come to see what we have new each year, and
then they run to that activity.” This year, the John Deere barrel
train rides and duck races quickly became highlights for younger
guests, alongside a scavenger hunt that kept them moving around the
grounds.
Other long-standing favorites
included wagon rides, popcorn, and a planned musical performance by
“California Jeff.” Unfortunately, the singer had to bow out at the
last minute due to a family emergency with his aging dog. “We missed
him yesterday ’cause he always sings under the porch,” Apel-Sasse
said.
Fall Farm Day also doubles as a platform for breast cancer
awareness, a cause close to Apel-Sasse heart. Having survived breast
cancer twice, she makes sure the event includes a visible reminder
of the fight against the disease. “That all started because I’ve had
breast cancer twice,” she said, explaining the tradition of
distributing pink bandanas and encouraging group photos.
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At one point, the
farm even experimented with growing pink pumpkins, though they
never quite fit the aesthetic or held up well. “It was more
salmony,” she recalled, “and it didn’t hold up really well. So
we kind of faded that one out.” While no large awareness
initiatives were planned for this year, the tradition of pink
bandanas continues to symbolize resilience and hope.
Running an outdoor event comes with challenges, particularly
when it comes to weather. “The dry weather kind of bothers us
because it affects our grass, and then if the grass dies, we get
mud when it rains,” she explained. Conversely, too much rain
complicates parking and pumpkin picking. “We like that happy
medium, but it depends on what the Lord gives us.”
Still, the sense of community makes
the effort worthwhile. Many employees and volunteers come from
Apel-Sasse’s and her husband, David Sasse’s, own church, Faith
Lutheran in Lincoln, while others are family members or friends
brought in through word of mouth. “Usually somebody works here and
then their friend wants to work, so that’s how I get it. Or I get
brother, sister, sister, sister combinations too. A lot. All in the
family.”
One of the day’s most highlights came
courtesy of Stacy from Subtle Stems, the florist behind the bouquet
activity. At the end of the event, she let each employee craft their
own bouquet to take home. “That usually doesn’t happen,” Apel-Sasse
said. “But we had a few stems left, and she said just let them pick
out of them. I thought, oh, that’s very nice of her.”
Though Fall Farm Day is the highlight of the season, it isn’t the
only event on the calendar. The farm plans to host more special days
in the coming weeks, including apple cider floats with bouquets and
even a “dress up your dog” day, continuing the tradition of blending
fun, family, and community.
From wagon rides and duck races to bouquets in pumpkins and pink
bandanas, Fall Farm Day remains more than just a festival—it’s a
celebration of resilience, creativity, and togetherness. Year after
year, it offers locals and visitors alike a reason to return, to
make new memories, and to honor old traditions.
Sophia Larimore
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