Fall into Didier Farms Pumpkinfest
The annual Pumpkinfest at Didier Farms in Prairie View has returned for another season, and so has the opportunity enjoy all that fall has to offer.
Favorite activities, such as taking a tractor-drawn hayride to the pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin, going on pony rides, visiting the petting zoo or getting lost in the 5-acre Corny Corn Maze, are back. Visitors can also shop for fall decorations in the Spooky Cabin Halloween Shop. And kids always like to see and learn about the baby chicks and newborn baby piglets in the "Pig Bin."
New this year are camel rides and the Big Cat exhibit, which includes tigers (one is all white), a liger (a cross between a tiger and a lion), an African lion and a bear.
For those who like more traditional festival staples, there are kiddie rides, Sunshine Crafts, a children's straw maze, face painting, inflatables and more. Visitors can also learn about farming in the free educational barn where antique tractors are on display.
The farm, at 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Prairie View-Lincolnshire, is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with activities available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 31.
For those who want to bring home fresh goods, the farmstand offers apple cider, winter squash, sweet corn, apples, birdhouse gourds, pumpkins, Door County pies, bakery goods and gourmet jams, jellies and soup mixes. Anderson's Chocolates from Richmond, Ill., will be selling fudge, ice cream, mini doughnuts and chocolate on Saturdays and Sundays.
This Sunday, Oct. 3, the farm is sponsoring the 2010 Didier Farms Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes charity walk. This is the second year the farm has hosted the event, which had more than 550 participants and volunteers last year.
Check-in and registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, with opening ceremonies starting at 9:30 a.m. and the four-mile walk beginning at 10 a.m. The Didier Family is offering every walker who raises at least $100 10 tickets to use after the walk on food and entertainment at Pumpkinfest. The eclectic rock band Hipcheck 16 will provide post-walk entertainment.
Didier Farms also offers free special events on select weekends including Jan's Clan puppet show at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9 and 10, under the pavilion.
For more information, call (847) 634-3291 or visit didierfarms.com.
If you goWhat: Didier Farm PumpkinfestWhen: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Oct. 31Where: 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Prairie View-LincolnshireCost: Weekdays: 9 a.m. to noon: $8 general admission, $12 wristband admission. Noon to 5 p.m.: No admission, activities with tickets only. Weekends: Various prices for activities.Info: (847) 634-3291 or didierfarms.comFalse20001279Pick your own pumpkin from the large selection of gourds at Didier Farms' Pumpkinfest.daily herald file photoFalse