Got farm fun? Georgetown does!
Written by Kathy Witt
Apple cider, pumpkin picking and fall festivals.
Why is a fall outing to the farm such a beloved tradition for so many?
As one of the three brothers who owns Bi-Water Farm & Greenhouse (often described as the Disney of central Kentucky farms), Stephen Fister can spool off a long list of reasons: hayrides, corn mazes, a spooky farm house, Sky High slide, Pumpkin Vine zip lines, chutes and slides, paintball target shooting, mini golf, a petting zoo and so much more, along with fried apple pies, apple cider slushees, fresh-baked cookies, breads and other yummies – and this is just at Bi-Water Farm.
Photo of Bi-Water Farm
Several Georgetown farms – all Kentucky Proud members – offer a cornucopia of fun and activities, games and goodies for fall outings.
“The fun part of coming to our farm is having fun with the kids, relaxing and spending the day on a hayride and then seeing the kids run and play or gathering the family for an evening around your own campfire,” said Fister. “But it’s also the sights and smells of fall – the fall leaves as they drift to the ground, the campfire smoke in the air.”
Photo of Bi-Water Farm
Bi-Water Farm hosts AutumnFest now through Oct. 31. (Check website for hours.) New this year are a Pumpkin Warrior Obstacle course, Soybean Maze, Dinosaur Dig and Pumpkin Cannon. Admission: $11.99/general; $14.99/combo pass – includes general admission attractions plus AutumnFest Express Train, golf and Dinosaur Dig; $19.99/VIP pass – includes general and fall fun attractions plus paintball target shooting and Pumpkin Cannon. www.biwaterfarm.com
At Evans Orchard, a fifth generation family farm focusing on family entertainment and healthy farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, the annual Harvest Festival takes place every weekend, Sept. 15 through Oct. 29. Featuring U-pick apples and pumpkins, pony and hay rides, mums, fodder shocks, pumpkins, gourds, hay bales and more, the festival has fun for every member of the family.
Photo provided by Evans Orchard
Delicious foods include caramel apples, fresh pressed cider and fried apple pies. Visitors can take a hayride to the pumpkin patch and pick out their very own pumpkins and drop by the farm’s barnyard to meet the resident goats, pigs, donkeys, sheep and other animals. Do the animals look hungry? Pick up a cone of feed for $1 and give them a treat.
Pony rides are offered every weekend. And the play area is packed with active fun: a Jumbo Jumper, Apple Cider Slider, Rat Racers Big Wheel Track, Pedal Cart Track, Swings and Tire Climbs, Corn Bin Play Boxes, a Hay Castle and more.
Photo provided by Evans Orchard
Harvest Festival admission (includes play area and barnyard): $8/child; free for adults and children under 2 with paid admission. All-in-One Kids Bracelet (includes access to play area, barnyard, corn maze and hayride): $12/child; $5/adult. Hayride tickets: $4/person. Pony and Train Ride tickets: $4/person. www.evansorchard.com
Photo provided by Elmwood Stock Farm
Elmwood Stock Farm is committed to healthy and wholesome production of high-quality fresh farm products. This sixth generation family farm spread over 550 acres produces organic vegetables, fruits, meats and pasture-raised eggs, as well as grass-fed stock cattle. Catch a video featuring Farmer Mac and Elmwood Stock Farm turkeys produced by Louisville Courier-Journal food writer Jere Downs. www.elmwoodstockfarm.com
Photo provided by Elmwood Stock Farm
If your fall farm outing is all about stocking up the pantry, head to Triple J Farm, a 370-acre family farm going back four generations, for eggs, beef, fall squash including cushaw, sweet potatoes, broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower, as well as gourds, pie pumpkins, mini fall décor and other items. Baked goods are available at the Farm Kitchen on Fridays. For those working on their own gardens, Triple J also has compost and topsoil. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays.
