By ELIZABETH HEITKAMP
Farm World Intern BATESVILLE, Ind. — Horse-drawn trolley rides to the 10 acres of pumpkins, squash and gourds, pony rides, antiques, collectibles and a seven-acre corn maze complete the family atmosphere found at Vogt’s Pumpkin Festival near Batesville.
After guests are welcomed with free parking and admission, they can enjoy festivities under a 30-by-60-foot tent, pick out a pumpkin or go to a shelter to enjoy homemade food such as pumpkin pie, bread and rolls, ice cream, chili, barbecue pork sandwiches and curly fries.
“It makes it more of a festival atmosphere when you have a tent,” said owner Jerry Vogt. “We serve the food in a shelter over the pond, where the paddleboats are at.”
This year’s festival is taking place Sept. 5-6 and Oct. 2, 3, 9 and 10 at the Vogt Farm on 12115 N. State Road 129, and is open from 10 a.m. until dusk.
Families can ride to the field to pick their own pumpkins by purchasing trolley tickets for $1 each. The Vogts are prepared to haul numerous guests with three trolleys and one covered wagon that are led by a team of horses. Pumpkins are priced from $1-$8, depending on size.
The annual event began 15 years ago on the 80-acre family farm when owners Vogt and his wife, Glenda, of 41 years thought pumpkin-purchasing customers would enjoy picking pumpkins from the field.
“Something that started out modest really bloomed,” Vogt said. “We estimate 8,000 people come on the weekends.”
Guests now travel from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky to enjoy the country lifestyle at the three festivals the Vogts host throughout the year: Pumpkin, Blueberry and Hanging Basket.
“You meet so many nice people,” Vogt said. “A majority couldn’t get any nicer.”
Not only do the Vogts encourage the public to visit during the three scheduled weekends, they also host school field trips. “We have about 1,300 school kids come,” Vogt said.
Besides picking pumpkins, children can also ride in a barrel train for a dollar, ride in a paddleboat and on a pony for free, jump in a “moonwalk” inflatable device and enjoy the petting zoo. “We always have a baby calf, llamas, miniature donkeys and white-tailed deer,” Vogt said. “We have 12 white-tailed deer that we raise.”
Adults can purchase items at Uncle Bud’s Antiques and Collectibles, a store located on the farm.
“It’s a small shop that we started 18 years ago,” Vogt said. “We have a big assortment of things. We have a lot of horse items and wagons.”
Visitors can also enjoy Vogt’s personal collection. “I have a weakness for wagons,” Vogt said. “I have 16 or 17 of the wood-wheeled express wagons for kids.”
Jerry believes hosting festivals will become a generation-to-generation tradition. Children Brian and Sandy, teenage grandchildren Christian (Goose) and Matthew and friends help with various tasks to accommodate the number of visitors. Responsibilities range from cooking homemade food in the shelter, to selling trolley tickets and pumpkins.
“We have a lot of friends, family and neighbors that help,” Vogt said. “Without them, it just wouldn’t be possible.”
Between the three festivals, the Vogts continue to be seen in public with their trolleys and horses. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, they can be found on Tuesdays at The Historic Depot District in Richmond, Ind., giving carriage rides. It is common to see Jerry and his family at weddings, festivals and parades.
To learn more about the Pumpkin, Blueberry or Hanging Basket festivals or about reserving a carriage ride for a special event, contact Jerry at 812-934-4627 or visit www.vogtfarm.info |
