Fall fun ranges from pumpkins to corn mazes
OAK HARBOR − Jason's Pumpkin Patch, 12629 W. Salem-Carroll Road, already is busy this fall drawing in families and pumpkins lovers. And they are just one of the many activities fall lovers can find in Ottawa and Sandusky counties in October.
Sandy Laubacher, "Jason's mom" and part of the Laubacher family business, said the pumpkin patch has had two busy weekends and the season is just getting started. The weekend of the Oak Harbor Apple Festival, Oct. 8-9, promises yet to be one of the busiest of the season. She also said there is a lot to do at the farm.
Jason's Pumpkin Patch is open daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m. through Halloween.
"We have our Kids Zone," she said.
That is a barn full of activities for youths ages 10 and under. It includes a straw maze, tractor and more, including a barnyard zoo full of pigs, a pony, mule, calves, goats, chickens and rabbits.
"We have a large corn maze. It takes 30 minutes to an hour," she added.
The family has a photo of the maze on its Facebook page so people can find their way out. Laubacher said a few people have gotten lost, but eventually found their way out.
Hay and pony card rides offered on the weekend, along with Witches Brew
On weekends, the pumpkin patch offers hay rides and pony cart rides.
"On weekends we have food, at the Witches Brew," Laubacher said.
New this year, the farm is offering fresh made doughnuts. The farm has 100 types of pumpkins and gourds plus various sized mums. The farm still has its pumpkin tree − a stack of pumpkins about 15 feet tall, she said.
There are prices for the various activities and the Kidzone. For more information call 419-898-3215 or visit https://facebook.com/jasonspumpkinpatch/.
Fremont Farmers Market set for Saturday
Downtown Fremont Inc. will hold the Croghan Colonial Bank Farmers Market and The Handmade in the 419 Event from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Attendance will be free. Local artists, crafters and creators will be showcased with The Handmade in the 419 Event selling unique items.
Look for “Live Art on the Streets” with Painting by Emma Lehmann, Home Décor by Jennifer Lott and Sewing by Susie Spools.
Check out more area fall activities
● The Sandusky County Fairgrounds Fall Family Fest 5.0 will be Oct. 14-16. The weekend will include Friday night truck traces, Saturday night demo derby and camping. Weekend camping will be $60. There will be kids activities, a corn hole tournament, and costume and camper lot decorating. The event is sponsored by Fremont Speedway and the Sandusky County Agricultural Society. Reservations will be taken until full. For information call 419-332-5604.
● Reihm Produce Farm, 7244 N. Ohio 53, Tiffin, is hosting Barnyard Fun Weekends through Oct. 30. Hours are noon-7 p.m. Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $11. Activities include barrel train rides, corn barn, pig races, hayride, corn maze, a giant slide and more. The roadside stands also has pumpkins, fall squash and apples. It is open daily in October. Visit Barnyard Fun Weekends 2022 | Riehm Produce Farm (funacres.net) for details and tickets to the fun weekends or call 419-992-4392.
● Orchard Catawba Island is hosting its third annual Harvest Festival Friday-Sunday at 3350 NE Catawba Road, Port Clinton. Live entertainment is set for the Farm Stand Stage 6-9 p.m. Friday with Rick Dewitt.
On Saturday at 9 a.m. start with Coffee and Conversations with local historical societies at the Farm Stand. Tickets are required for the Garden-to-Plate Cooking class from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. At 4 p.m. tickets are required for the five-course European Wine and Cheese Guided Tasting in the Vintners Pavilion. From 7-10 a.m. 70 years of musical styles will be featured on the Farm Stage. On Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. a Bloody Mary Bar will be featured at the Vintners Pavilion as will a Harvest Market. Live entertainment will return from 1-4 p.m. on the Farm Stage.
Area farm markets stocked with pumpkins, apples and more
There are multiple farm markets open with pumpkins, cider and other fall goodies. Those include:
● Anstead Farm Market, 2635 CR 185, Clyde, currently is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The owner is looking at keeping it open on an honor system in coming weeks. Besides assorted pumpkins, the market has tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and more end of season product.
● Bergman's Orchard and Farm Markets has two locations stocked for fall. One is at 600 S. E Catawba Road (Ohio 53), Port Clinton, and the other is at 708 S. Bridge Road (Ohio 269), Lakeside. Shoppers can find cider, apples, mums, squash and pumpkins plus tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and late season sweet corn. The stores also have a variety of crafts. For more information call 419-734-6280 for the Port Clinton market and 419-732-2870 for the Lakeside market.
● Drowns Farm Market, 2562 CR 185, Clyde, is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sharon Drown said their big fall staples are apples, cider, fall squash, cabbage, potatoes and onion plus pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks and straw. Call 419-639-3789.
● Eshelman's Fruit Farm, 753 E. Maple St., Clyde, (Ohio 101 north of Clyde) is open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Apples are in stock including Golden and Red Delicious, Jonathan, Jonagold, Gala, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, MacIntosh, Cortland, Empire, Mutsu and Ida Red. U-Pick begins this weekend and continues for the next four weeks. Fugi apples are expected to come on in the second week of October. For more information call 419-547-9584.
● Kuny's Market, 4122 CR 177, Green Springs, is located at the corner of Ohio 101 south of Clyde and CR 177. The market is known for unpasturized apple cider and apples. The market also offers Walnut Creek cheeses and meats. Hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 a.m. Sunday. For more information call 419-547-7373.
● Moore Orchards, 10544 Moore Road, Oak Harbor. The market is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Call 419-898-0898.
● Moore's Produce, 3091 Limerick Road, Clyde. Pumpkin Painting is set at the market from 1-3 p.m. Saturday and noon-2 p.m. Sunday. Costs are $5-$20. Moore's is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through the end of season. There are countless pumpkins, squash, gourds, and Indian corn. Some end of season produce is still available including melons, tomatoes and peppers.
● Tjay's Farm Market, 1160 W. CR 201 (corner of Ohio 12 and Ohio 53), Fremont, is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily year-round. Fall and winter squashes are in stock as are pumpkins, Indian corn, water melons, homegrown cauliflower and broccoli can cabbage. There are tomatoes, apples, corn stalks and mums. The market carries foods from Walnut Creek and fresh Amish bake goods come in on Thursdays. For more information call 567-314-0018.
More upcoming events:
● Fall-Fest Craft and Vendor Show, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Copper Whale Winery, 1734 E. McPherson Highway, Clyde. Take a personal item to benefit Liberty Center in Fremont and shop. Visit http://cooperwhalewine.com.
● Farm Days , Creek Bend Farm at the Wilson Nature Center, 720 S. Main St., Lindsey, 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. There will be vintage carnival games, a goat and sheep or take a horse ride. There will be apple cider and visit the Homestead House. Registration is required at lovemyparks.com.
● Harvest Happenings Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, downtown Fremont. Vendors will be set up. Entertainment is planned as is a variety of food. For details visit downtownfremontohio.org.
rbrooks@gannet.com.
419-334-1050
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Sandusky, Ottawa counties home to many fall, harvest events
