Posted: 10/1/03

Harvest fun begins at Pinehaven Farm

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

A few years ago, the Hastings family at Pinehaven Farm convinced folks pumpkins really could fly.

The Jack-O-Launcher, built by the father and son team of John and Jeremy Hastings, shot pumpkins a half mile into the distance and people who gathered to watch oohed and aahed.

This year, theyíre giving us a reason to believe in dragons.

Farfel, the pumpkin eating dragon, was the project of Jeremy Hastings, who was inspired when he saw a similar creature in Nebraska.

Farfel, who talks by the way, eats up juicy pumpkins, talks to the crowd and shares his leftovers with the pigs in a nearby pen.

And the crowd oohs and aahs.

With just a snapshot, the young Hastings built Farfel with no instructions, no drawings, no guidelines. He has been working on the dragon since last winter. It was completed shortly before the harvest festival began last weekend.

The 25-foot long critter features moving eyeballs, a rotating neck and a body with the ability to stretch to the skies, get close to the audience and seemingly fall asleep when excitement of snack time is done.

Attractions

Known for adding new attractions on regular basis, Pinehaven Farm had a creative summer.

In addition to Farfel, new attractions this year include an interactive talking scarecrow, and stories told by Cousin Willy in his outhouse of an office.

ìHe (John) wanted to build an outhouse so we built an outhouse,î Sue Hastings said. ìFrom there we figured out what to do with it.î

In addition to the new attractions, the harvest festival continues to feature the pumpkin cannon, petting farm, barnyard train ride, mini corn maze, peddle tractors, trike tracks and Boo-tique gift shop

Also included in the admission is a hayride to the pumpkin patch for pick-your-own pumpkins to purchase. Pumpkins and other harvest produce also are available in the barn.

Music

Among the attractions at the Harvest Festival is bluegrass music on the weekends.

The Blue Drifters will perform Oct. 4-5. The popular musical duo Kit and Kaboodle will perform Saturday, October 11 and Saturday, Oct. 18. The Radio Disney Van is scheduled to appear Sunday, Oct. 12. Lonesome Country appears Oct. 19 and Oct. 26. The Fishheads are scheduled to appear Saturday, Oct. 25.

Nightmare

This year, the Pinehaven Farm property is hosting the Nightmare at Pinehaven farm haunted hayride, formerly located at the Trout Air property in Columbus Township.

Just as with any nightmare, the scary side of Halloween only is evident after night falls.

ìFarfel and the Pumpkin Cannon are very popular attractions during the day,î Hastings said. ìWith the addition of the Nightmare haunted hayrides in the evening, we cover all aspects of fall entertainment and offer something for all age groups.î

Hours/information

Pinehavenís Harvest Festival is open noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. The event runs through Sunday, November 3. Admission is $5 per person.

Pinehaven Farm is located one mile north of CR-22 on the west frontage road to I-35 in Wyoming.

For more information visit www.pinehavenfarm.com

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