Fall just may be one of my favorite times of year.
Events like football bring people together, the cool weather is greeted with warm home-cooked meals, colors get rich and my boots come out of the closet.
I love sweater weather, and one of my favorite things to do this time of year is carve a pumpkin. Now a pumpkin can be easily picked up at the grocery down the road but why would anyone do that when you can make a daylong family affair out of it at the Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival?
Shortly after lunch, we piled into the car and made our way out to the orchards. First stop was at the farm market to explore the deliciously fresh produce and pick up a few tasty caramels.
Look at all those flavors of honey!
Just beyond the market are the fields filled with pumpkins, corn, berries and other goodies. We followed the signs to the pumpkin festival and unloaded into the festive atmosphere.
Brittany’s immediately ran off to get her face painted, but my interests were caught by the food barn, particularly the apple cider donuts and caramel apples.
I also tried the broccoli cheddar pie, spicy quesadilla and squash and apple soup.
All filled up, we set off in search of the corn maze but got a little distracted. The kids just looked like they were having so much fun in the hay pile, and the breeze was just right…
Of course, we joined in. Some people just never grow up!
I must say that once you jump in you have to be fully committed because you will find bits of hay in your clothing and hair for days.
While most families raced for a best time through the corn maze, we were a slow moving procession cracking jokes, hiding in dead ends and cutting through the cornstalks. Finally, my mother led us out.
All that hard work meant we had worked up an appetite again, so I happily led us back to the food barn for caramel apples and popcorn.
Now that was just all the fun leading up to the pumpkins. We did come to pick pumpkins after all.
My mother has a soft spot for the strange looking ones and my sister insisted on finding orange, white and green pumpkins of the same shape and size for a pinterest-worthy project. I hopped around taking pictures and my dad got stuck doing the heavy lifting.
It certainly was a perfect autumn day.
Putting It Together
- Butler’s Orchard is free to visit but entrance to the Pumpkin Festival costs $11
- A few activities like face painting cost money but most activities are free
- There are ATMs and portapotties on site
- Dress for the weather because everything is outdoors
- You can find driving directions here
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