A wagon ride returns with a load full of passengers who went out to pick their own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch at Grampa's Farm. Tina L. Scott photo.
BY TINA L. SCOTT EDITOR
It’s pumpkin picking time! Autumn has arrived with chilly nights and deciduous trees bursting forth with glorious colors of rust and red, gold and yellow, orange and umber, set against a bright beautiful blue sky. The crunch of the leaves beneath our feet and the distinctive sound they make as we shuffle our feet along in the piles is music to the ears of all those whose favorite season is fall. Delicious treats made with apples and cinnamon are in season, with pumpkin pie soon to follow. It is the season for pumpkin spice everything, plaid flannel shirts, and spending time with family. Luckily, the Merrill area has many great locations to embrace all of these things. In addition to roadside pumpkin stands and wagons within the community, the area boasts three different family-friendly venues for picking [or picking out] pumpkins and enjoying an adventurous day together.
You know you're headed in the right direction when you see the signs. Tina L. Scott photo.Looking for a pumpkin? Look no further than Grace & Sophie's Pumpkin Patch. This is just a small sample of the many varieties and sizes of pumpkins that away visitors. Tina L. Scott photo.
Gather around the fire and just enjoy each other's company at Grace & Sophie's while the kids play in the play yard. Tina L. Scott photo.The red, white, and blue wraps on these large haybales create an almost patriotic display in the kids play yard at Grace & Sophie's Pumpkin Patch. Tina L. Scott photo.
Load up a wagon when you're purchasing pumpkins at Grace & Sophie's. Tina L. Scott photo.
Displays of pumpkins and gourds under the overhang at the barn at Grace & Sophie's Pumpkin Patch. Tina L. Scott photo.Grace & Sophie's Pumpkin Patch sells gourds of all sizes, shapes, and colors, as well as a large variety of pumpkins. Tina L. Scott photo.
Corn stalks and bunches of Indian corn are also available at Grace & Sophie's. Tina L. Scott photo.Grace & Sophie's also has a small corner of the barn where handcrafted items are sold. Tina L. Scott photo.
Can you find your way out of the corn maze at Grace & Sophie's? Tina L. Scott photo.
This beautiful autumn farm display makes for a great photo opp at Grace & Sophie's Pumpkin Patch. Tina L. Scott photo.Measure how tall you are and pose for a photo opp at Grace & Sophie's. Tina L. Scott photo.There are lots of big traditional orange pumpkins perfect for making jack-o-lanterns at Grace & Sophie's, as well as varieties for making pies and decorating. Tina L. Scott photo.Grace & Sophie's Pumpkin Patch is open seasonally and located in the Town of Pine River, just east of Merrill. Tina L. Scott photo.
Grace and Sophie’s Pumpkin Patch
Located in the Town of Pine River at N785 Range Line Rd., Merrill, Grace and Sophie’s has tons of pumpkins in various sizes, gourds, corn stalks and hay bales, and other items for decorating, all for sale. In addition, they offer a 12-acre corn maze, concession stand, large play yard with lots of activities for the kids, and an area to gather and relax around a fire outdoors.
A decorated old truck sets the scene for many of the new updates to the grounds at Helene's Hilltop Orchard. Tina L. Scott photo.Throughout the grounds at Helene's Hilltop Orchard, owner Olivia has set up places for photo ops where visitors can gather to create memories. Tina L. Scott photo.The foundation of Helene's Hilltop Orchard is the apple orchard. But in recent years, it has expanded to become a destination that far exceeds its humble beginnings as an orchard. Tina L. Scott photo.A view of the patio area at Helene's Hilltop Orchard, with seating under umbrellas, where visitors can enjoy beverages and concessions and live music at events. Tina L. Scott photo.The cow train (now dairy train), pulled by a John Deere tractor, includes cow "train cars" made from barrels and is a popular attraction for the kids. Tina L. Scott photo.The dairy train is leaving on its next tour of the property at Helene's Hilltop Orchard. Tina L. Scott photo.Visitors can often enjoy live music on the patio at Helene's on the weekends or during special events. Tina L. Scott photo.Large tricycle racing has kids of all ages trying out the track at Helene's. And look at all the other activities to do in the background! Tina L. Scott photo.A wagon ride returns with a load full of passengers who went out to pick their own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch at Grampa's Farm. Tina L. Scott photo.Enjoy a sample of the different apple varieties or apple cider at Helene's Hilltop Orchard. Tina L. Scott photo.
Helene’s Hilltop Orchard
As the name implies, Helene’s Hilltop Orchard, N1189 Quarter Rd., Merrill, in addition to pumpkin picking, Helene’s also offers apple picking in their orchard, as well as pre-picked apples and all kinds of apple products in their on-site bakery. They also offer a corn maze, concessions, and a large play yard with lots of kid-friendly activities. In addition, their sunflower field is popular, along with the cow train (now called the dairy train), jumping/bouncy shed, wagon rides, and outdoor courtyard that typically hosts live musical entertainment on the weekends. Helene’s also has a gift shop with lots of cool finds for pets, a gift shop in the loft filled with some of Olivia’s Favorite Things - decor and gifts, largely focused on Christmas, and a shop filled with their line of bottled wines, cider, pickled products, and more. Families can gather for a glass of wine in the barn cellar after they’ve enjoyed all the activities on the grounds.
You know you're at Grampa's Farm when you can see the Grampa's Farm windmill and the huge stack of hay for the kids to play on, crawl through, and slide off of in the play yard. Tina L. Scott photo.Pumpkins and gourds of all sizes and pots of mums, plus a variety of other Wisconsin farm-related merchandise, is available for purchase in the Farm Market at Grampa's Farm. Tina L. Scott photo.Christine Vorpagel becomes "Granny on the Farm" at Grampa's Farm, demonstrating how ice cream is made the old-fashioned way and her helper distributes samples to give everyone a taste. Tina L. Scott photo.A display of dress styles for school girls worn back in the day, along with some of the dolls and toys that were more popular in yesteryear. Tina L. Scott photo.Doing laundry through the years wasn't as easy as it it today. A display of washing machines, wringers, washboards, and old irons showcase what it was like to get your clothes clean in years past. Tina L. Scott photo.What's more fun than a sandbox? A cornbox. Kids at Grampa's Farm were having a blast with machinery and buckets and scoops playing in the shelled corn box. Tina L. Scott photo.These two thought being rolled around and tumbled upside down in this tractor wheel was great fun! Tina L. Scott photo.The sunflower field at Grampa's Farm is in full bloom. Tina L. Scott photo.The play yard at Grampa's Farm incorporates toys and play equipment made from old machinery and farm implements. And the kids love it! Tina L. Scott photo.Overalls were always a staple of workwear on the farm. Tina L. Scott photo.
Grampa’s Farm
At Grampa’s Farm, N2613 Norwegian Rd., Merrill, visitors can pick their own pumpkins - and a whole lot more! The list of things to do there and opportunities to reminisce with the younger generation and teach kids about life on the farm or “back in the day” is almost endless. For one admission price, families can do it all: play on the huge playground largely constructed from farm tires and machinery, take a wagon ride and pick a pumpkin, cut their own flowers in the flower and sunflower fields, enjoy concessions, explore the corn maze, pet animals at the petting zoo, ride on little tractors and riding toys, take a try at the giant slingshot in the barn loft to hit a deer target, dress up in pioneer days attire, explore an old-fashioned one-room schoolhouse, learn how to milk a cow by hand, play in a pit of shelled corn, learn how ice-cream is made by hand (and taste it), make a corn cob doll, and so much more!
Enjoy the photos in this edition that provide a sneak peek at all three locations.
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