Jessica Foster
Staff WriterSince 1996, Pinehaven Farm has made a celebration of the harvest season. Each year, the Hastings family strives to make the farm experience new, different and better than the previous year.
The 2004 Antique Farm and Harvest Festival runs through Halloween Sunday, Oct. 31.
More than the place to pick the perfect canvas for this yearís jack-o-lantern, Pinehaven has a full slate of family activities and attractions. New this year is the Cletus and Buford Show and the corn crib slideóa modified corn crib turned into a four slide delight for kids.
As another new offering, kids can enjoy pony rides on Saturdays. Those looking to bring the nostalgia home can have an old time tractor photo taken during the weekend hours.
In its second year, Farfel the pumpkin eating dragon is fast becoming a farm favorite. With improvements made by Farfel inventor Jeremy Hastings, kids flock to his pen at feeding time to watch the critter eat pumpkins, share his snack with the pigs and get his teeth brushed.
A highlight at the farm is the Jack-O-Launcher, Minnesotaís first pumpkin cannon. Built by John and Jeremy Hastings, the cannon shoots fallís fruit a half mile into the distance.
Other attractions include the the childrenís animal farm, barnyard train ride and mini corn maze.
A longtime source for finding that perfect Christmas tree, Sue Hastings, a third generation farmer who runs Pinehaven along with her husband, John said the harvest has become the main attraction of the year.
ìIt clearly has become our biggest season,î she said. ìFamily entertainment is what weíre aiming for.î
She said Pinehaven has become a family tradition for many. Grandparents, their children and grandchildren regularly come to Pinehaven in the fall to enjoy the family activities.
ìItís good to spend the day together doing something so innocent and old fashioned,î Hastings said. ìFamilies can just enjoy being outside and finding their own fun.î
In the ever changing farm environment, Hastings said the farm features things that arenít mass produced, that will not be seen at other farms.
ìThis is stuff you canít just go and buy, things are made here,î she said.
That homespun charm continues past what is hand hewn at Pinehaven. In addition to the Hastings family, most of the employees are fellow volunteer firefighters, neighbors and family friends.
ìIt makes it feel more like family,î Hastings said of the staff. ìThey have a sense of ownership, it helps them do a better job.î
Pumpkins
Folks have two options when choosing pumpkins. There is a large selection of pre-picked pumpkins to choose from or wagon rides out to the pumpkin patch also are available.
With odd temperatures and a shortage of insects this growing season, the pumpkin growing season was a bit off this year.
Still, Hastings said, there are plenty of pumpkins for the picking.
Nightmare
For the second year, the Pinehaven Farm property is host to the Nightmare at Pinehaven Farm haunted hayride, formerly located at the Trout Air property in Columbus Township.
The scary side of Pinehaven is only visible after night falls.
Hours/information
Pinehavenís Harvest Festival is open noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission is $5.50 per person which includes access to everything on the farm. 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 or call 651-464-1704.
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