I once dated a guy from Australia. I won’t go into the details, but if you’d like to read more about that ill-fated situation, you can always check out this post where I discuss things like his fire-fighting skills and clinical amnesia.
This guy, let’s just call him D– once claimed that everything Americans do is done on a big scale. Every movie theater is a Megaplex, every stadium screen is a Jumbotron, every soft drink is a 64-oz Big Gulp.
I acknowledged his point, responding that while yes, this is sometimes the case, America can also be quaint and lovely and not at all grandiose.
Take for instance the Fall Festival that we attended last weekend. The event organizers could have made it over-the-top and glittered with gold. But really, who needs to be the best Fall Festival in town? Not these guys. Modesty was the name of the game.
We were welcomed by some ghostly goblins.
And became acquainted with seasonal farm equipment.
Next we found a carousel…
A Ferris Wheel…
Carnival-moving vans with all kinds of amusements and curiosities …
There were spooky creatures, and a gentle dog named Fluffy.
Hmmm…Maybe I was wrong about this place. Somehow we’d stumbled into the Halloween Mega-Farm event of the year. How do the masses not know about this? Where were the people? Do I spill the beans, or do we keep it a secret?
Given that I’m a kindhearted individual, I decided to share our top secret MegaFarmFestival information. It’s held every year at Heaven Hill Farm in Northern New Jersey, making it a close drive for anyone in the Tri-State area. Just don’t tell D–.
Yes, it’s the kind of over-the-top flag-waving festival that might make others beeline for the woods, but it’s one hell of a place to spend an afternoon with kids.
There was a pumpkin patch…
Quizzes that tested our decidedly limited understanding of farm life….
You can’t be an over-the-top festival with some kind of bouncy house, am I right?
Now let’s talk about rides. Spinners, launchers, ride-on vehicles and carousels, this farm had them all.
Oh, welcome again! One of the many welcome signs throughout the farm, and a perfect place to rest after each child had won giant balloons.
Tired yet? Let’s go, there’s more to explore.
It’s pumpkin time kids, each one of you choose one. A small one.
Hm, I think I said “small”.
This?
Fine. And I’ll buy the long, warped skinny one because I feel bad that nobody will want to buy it.
But there’s more! Animals….
(that tail, swoon)
Races with animals….
Now, let’s talk about the farm-style activities. These things kept my kids busy for hours. Not a half an hour, I’m talking hours. The tire…
The tube…
But hold on, there’s more! A fully-operational corn maze complete with multiple loops…
Hi guys!
Lost.
Hmmmm, it’s getting hot in here…
Is anybody else in here?
We’re getting out of here!
My thoughts exactly.
Now on to basketball. And I promise that we’re almost done…key word: almost.
Slingshots. The game is to launch tennis balls at a witch who’s hanging from a rope. Yikes.
Baseball…
Go carts I tell you, Go Carts! In a cornfield racetrack no less.
And that’s a wrap. Because I think that we covered every usable inch of available farmland. Homeward bound team…They’re shutting this place down for the night anyway.
Just one more thing…
Reservoir Dogs, returning from duty.
What a fun way to kick off fall. I SO want to do the corn maze!
That looks like so much fun.
What delightful and fun set of photos I want a go on a ride too heheh!
LOL – yup, everything big – even the number of photos you used – all amazing, one great shot after the nest. I miss all the orange pumpkins now that I live in New Zealand. Ours our gray and not for another half year.
Awesome photos! Autumn has started in here as weland I cant wait to see the colors changing =) #ww
Hari OM
OMW an honest to goodness, real ol’ fashioned harvest fayre…….. What a find!!! Thank you for ‘taking’ us along.&*> YAM xx
Looks like a wonderful adventure and lots to do for everyone. Glady ou gave that skinny pumpkin a home.
This past weekend, the weather was so nice I took my son to a fair and watched a demolition derby for the first time. Here’s hoping the weather is as beautiful this weekend so we can take the kids to a pumpkin patch. I haven’t been in a corn maze in years!
Wow, it does seem like a great place to visit. We have to find something similar around here to take our girls, I am so sure they would love it.
The photos are great and the collages even better!I’d love to do something like this with Amanda. I’m just waiting for our house to sell so that we can move to the States.
Wow, what a cool event!!
What a great place. I’m sure it’s going to be an annual event!
We’re going to our corn maze in a couple weeks, can’t wait. Always a fun time!
too short, more, hot dogs, etc.
What a fun place! And so many pumpkins, too! 🙂
Looks like tons of fun! I can’t wait until the Fall stuff gets going here.
This is a perfect place for fall fun!
That looks so cool. What a fun place.
Looks like great fun was had by all!
I always love your pictures! Looks like y’all had fun!
Fun! Considering how much corn is grown in Delaware, it’s sad that I’ve never been in a corn maze.
That looks like awesome fun. I’m surprised it wasn’t packed,if it was over here I imagine that there’d be heaps of people there. I’m from Australia and I have to agree with your ex everything seems to be on a bigger scale over there than here (even that fair looks like it has way more than our ones here would).
How fun is this! I’d love to visit a farm fest like that with my daughter one day 🙂
What a fun post. Your kiddos are the perfect age for Heaven Hill Farm. Glad they had a wonderful day!! As far as pumpkins go, my boys pick what they can physically carry – cause I refuse. lol
That’s a certainly fun place for kids to visit. We don’t have such fairs around here in our area.
Being from Australia, I do concur with your ex boyfriend that some things in the US are OTT! That being said, I also have experienced moderation too!. It sure looks like you had a great fun family afternoon!
That looks like a fun filled day. I bet they loved every bit of it.
WOWZA…you seriously take such wonderful shots!!
http://www.homeofohm.com/2014/09/wordlesswednesday-when-you-give-your.html
I wonder how far a drive it is from SC? Hmmmm….
Love your capture of your kids and the lighting!
Send us some cooler weather please! 😉
Thank you so much for sharing these precious moments! The children must have had great fun! 🙂
Wow! It looks like a wonderful day!
Looks like you guys had a fantastic time!
I love that kind of stuff this time of year. Especially on a pretty day.
Looks like a full day of fun! & super cool it isn’t that crowded 🙂
Wow. That looks like a fun place! My kids and I would be there everyday! (Especially cuz they got ice cream!) I wish we lived close there!
It looks like you and your family had fun. =D We are planning on going to Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Patch next week. It should be fun with a 9 month old baby – think we may need to skip the wagon ride.
Thanks for a great idea for my next post!
Looks like it was a total blast!
Wowzers what an adventure! Such beautiful pictures too!
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