Nothing Says Fall Is Here More Than A Visit To This Charming Illinois Pumpkin Farm
By Benjamin Clancy|Published October 11, 2020
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Benjamin Clancy
Author
Benjamin Clancy is the Illinois and Indiana writer at Only In Your State, a doctoral candidate at UNC Chapel Hill in Communication, and an artistic type who has attended the Vermont Studio Center residency in poetry writing and makes something like music as "little other." They grew up in Austin, Texas and currently live in Chicago, IL with their partner, two dogs, and a cat. Get in touch by emailing bclancy@onlyinyourstate.com.
The chill is back in the Illinois air. It’s that time of year again. Fall is the season of all things pumpkin: pumpkin spice, jack-o-lanterns, leaves the color of pumpkins, people in pumpkin-colored sweaters. So, naturally, any Illinois autumn is incomplete without a visit to The Great Pumpkin Patch.
For the last 30 years, The Great Pumpkin Patch has attracted thousands of visitors to celebrate the season on The 200 Acres farm, which is owned and operated by the Collins family. With delicious food, plenty of outdoor activities, and open air markets with vendors from the local Amish community, this farm is a perfect destination for one last family outing before winter.
The 200 Acres and The Great Pumpkin Patch are located at 1749A CR 1900 N Arthur, IL 61911.
The 200 Acres is a spectacularly colorful place in autumn.
With beautiful, charmingly curated grounds, maple trees catching fire, and acres of mums and gourds in a whole spectrum of colors, this is a must-visit for any autumn enthusiast.
The Collins family farm hosts three separate features: The Homestead Bakery, The Great Pumpkin Patch, and Homestead Seeds. Over its 30 year history, The 200 Acres has become a state institution and an integral part of its local community.
Amish vendors sell goods at open air markets, tourists gather from miles around, and families enjoy a whole variety of outdoor games and activities.
The Great Pumpkin Patch is a seasonal destination, but they're committed to bringing you an incredible experience for the entirety of autumn. The Collins family begins planning months in advance to ensure there are gourds and mums aplenty for each visitor.
That's good news for dawdlers, but don't wait too long and miss the best of the leaves!
The Collins family's pumpkin farm grows some of the nation's most diverse pumpkins and gourds, also known as "cucurbits." They breed over 300 species and export them all over the world.
So get your gourd on by picking one from the patch, or grab some heirloom seeds from Homestead Seeds to plant your own.
If you get bored of gourds, or just want to add a little romance to your fall fling, the Great Pumpkin Patch also has a stunning selection of affordable mums for sale.
One of the more famous sites of The Great Pumpkin Patch is this barn sporting the Henry Thorough quote:
"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it to myself than be crowded by a velvet cushion."
This quote reflects the independent, family-first feel of the 200 Acres.
This same spirit has kept the farm going in light of the challenges posed by the pandemic. While the Great Pumpkin Patch will be unable to host its usual games mazes in 2020, in its place they are introducing "The Cucurbit Market," a 200-acre road-side destination that safely recreates the highlights of the Great Pumpkin Patch.
To read more about how The 200 Acres is adapting to COVID-19, visit their webpage.
So, this fall, make sure you find your way to this famous farm with your family, pick a prime pumpkin to carve, and secure some supplies for the long winter’s nap around the corner.
What other autumn destinations have you fallen in love with? Is there a different Illinois farm you fancy? We want to hear your stories and see your photographs. Get in touch!
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