Garden centers, farms focus on families for fall fests
Pumpkin-eating dinosaurs, a wildlife animal show, and a boxcar train crossing over into the spooky forest.
What have autumn fests come to?
Innovation and entertainment destinations, it turns out, and going beyond offering families their choice of pumpkins and gourds.
Locally, Kinsch's Garden Center in Palatine, Goebbert's Farm & Garden Center in South Barrington, and Didier Farms in Prairie View all launched their festivals last month, and all three report strong attendance.
"One day after we put the sign out on Palatine Road, we had four school groups book visits the next day," says Diane Kinsch, of the Palatine garden center that is celebrating its 70th anniversary in the community this year.
The Kinsch Autumn Fun Fest makes its return after a three-year hiatus. Kinsch family members brought back a slightly smaller version, without the petting zoo and less live entertainment, but they are finding patrons are staying just as long.
"Families seem to like the fact that it is a smaller, more intimate venue," Kinsch adds, "where they can try all of the activities, and just hang out. It seems to offer a slower pace."
The festival still features a train ride through the haunted forest, as well as a hay bale mountain, children's haunted house, crazy corn maze, pumpkin decorating and a two-story monster slide.
A family activity tent, open on Saturdays and Sundays, offers storytelling, scarecrow making, a workshop on growing pumpkins led by a master gardener, a nature scavenger hunt, collage making, family crafts, and even Halloween Bingo.
Miss Lori, of PBS Kids, headlines an energetic children's concert at 3 p.m. Saturdays, and her first appearance turned into quite a hit, officials say.
"We've really tried to emphasize a family focus this year," Kinsch says.
As in years past, the Kinsch family has converted its 3-acre back lot into a family fun fest. Back in 2004, Ken Kinsch built a 45-foot bridge to take youngsters and their families back into the woods, where they will find magical places to play.
This year, Kinsch used his construction know-how to build the boxcar train that winds children along the Spooky Forest Trail.
Officials at Goebbert's also unveiled some new attractions this year. Along with its traditional wagon rides, pony and camel rides, pig races and corn stalk maze, there is the 25-foot tall, pumpkin-eating dinosaur.
Patons cannot miss the whimsical creature, whose antics are drawing lots of attention. Like the Kinsch train, this mechanical character was made on the farm.
"He does everything," says Sue Murdoch, general manager. "He belches, and even has smoke coming out of his mouth." They also added the wildlife show, which is an interactive show on Saturdays and Sundays that features rare and unusual animals, including tortoises, porcupines, a sloth, anteaters and an aardvark.
Of the three, Didier's is the only destination where families may actually pick their own pumpkins. Goebbert's offers that at its Hampshire location.
At Didier's in Prairie View, a tractor-drawn hayride takes families out to the fields where they may select the pumpkin of their choice. They also feature a 5-acre corn maze.
Back at the homestead, there are just as many activities, from a petting zoo, pony rides, and sunshine crafts, to a corn maze and mechanical rides.
Kinsch family members say their decision to bring back their festival was motivated by more than the anniversary year. Northwest suburban families just missed their seasonal tradition, they said.
"We had so many people asking about it," Diane Kinsch says. "We're bringing it back, by popular demand."
If you go
Kinsch Autumn Fun Fest
Where: Kinsch Garden Center, 301 W. Johnson St., Palatine
Cost: $6 for children 1-12, adults free
Call: (847) 359-1182 or visit www.kinschflorist.com
Goebbert's Farm and Garden Center
Where: 40 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington
Admission: Free; parking free; $4-$7 for Animal Land; $4 each for rides on pony, camel, wagon
Call: (847) 428-6727 or visit pumpkinfarms.com
Didier Farms
Where: 16678 W. Aptakisic Road. Prairie View
Admission: Free admission and parking; $1 per ticket for activities and rides; $3 to visit pumpkin patch (not including price of pumpkin).
Call: (847) 634-3291 or visit didierfarms.com