Photos and story by Leondia Walchle
DRY RIDGE, Ky. – Fall festivals are popping up in the rural Midwest. Dean and Debbie Colson began Country Pumpkins in 2000. At that time they were just selling pumpkins at their farm. In 2009 they began an annual Fall Festival and Tour operation on their 250-acre farm, which runs through Oct. 31 this year. They work alongside their son, Matt and his wife Shelley as well as their three children Caroline (11), Oakley (8), and Maddie (5). Everyone has his or her own job on the farm. Their event includes a petting zoo, slides, corn box, hillbilly hoops, several corn mazes, indoor play area, chunkin’ pumpkin, hay and barrel train rides, u-pick pumpkins on a 12-acre patch, along with a concession stand and gift shop. They hold special events, such as a children’s entrepreneur market, balloon artists, face painting, to a free hayride and bonfire night. Educational Field Trips can be scheduled and private parties can be held in one of the picnic shelters. They also have three rental cabins with a scenic Kentucky view. They strive to add something new each year. For information on hours of operation and more, please visit www.countrypumpkinsky.com.
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