Make a plan to join The Trustees this fall for one of the family-friendly events on our farms. The farms offer programming and events throughout the fall including programs for children, cooking classes for both adults and children, events with farm animals, hikes, and several other special events. Each farm has a big fall celebration as well, as is tradition with harvest time.
Check out these fall celebrations in October:
At Appleton Farms in Hamilton and Ipswich there will be many traditional German festivities at the Oktoberfest at Appleton Farms on Oct. 14-15. The weekend event will feature an Oktoberfest-inspired menu and food offerings, lawn games, traditional German Hammerschlagen (competitive nailing), a beer stein-holding competition, and live music. Local breweries will be pouring on-site including Notch Brewing, Essex County Brewing Company, True North Ale Company, Far from the Tree Cider, and 1634 Meadery. Music will be provided from 1-4 p.m. each day by Wunder Kapelle, a traditional German “oompah” band and from 4 to 5 p.m. by songwriter and guitarist Chuck Doran. Tickets are for timed entry and cost $15 per carload for Trustees members and $20 per carload for non-members. Tickets include the cost of parking, but food and drink are sold separately. Pre-registration is strongly recommended for this popular event.
Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough is hosting its annual Pumpkintime from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Oct. 7. Come out to Chestnut Hill to pick a pumpkin while taking a leisurely stroll around the apple tree grove. While there, snap a selfie with the scarecrow, have your face painted, participate in a children’s scavenger hunt and shop at the Farm Store. While admission is free, visitors will need to pay for any pumpkins they purchase. Pre-registration is required for timed entry tickets at 12, 1, 2 or 3 p.m.
The FARM Institute in Edgartown out on Martha’s Vineyard will host the Fall on the Farm Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 7 at the FARM Institute. Come pick a pumpkin at the farm’s pumpkin patch, enjoy a wagon ride, a pumpkin scavenger hunt, squash bowling, face painting, crafts for children, pumpkin decorating, and a visit with the barnyard animals. Food from the Scottish Bakehouse and beer from Bad Martha will be available to purchase. Visit the event page for ticket pricing information, with variable prices depending on pumpkin purchases.
Powisset Farm in Dover is doubling down on fall fun with two different events in October. First, every weekend in October from 12 to 4:30 p.m. is Fall Fun at Powisset Farm. Enjoy a classic New England fall day at Powisset with hayrides, live music, a scenic walk on the farm’s trails, a Story Walk, and a haystack to climb. Cider, wine, beer, and seasonal treats will be available to purchase. Visit the Farm Store for produce, baked goods, cheese and other fine food items. Timed entry tickets are required. Please check the event listing for details.
Return to Powisset Farm on Friday, Oct. 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. for Boo in the Barnyard. Bring the kids in their Halloween costumes to enjoy the barnyard animals, Halloween crafts, a hidden pumpkin scavenger hunt, pumpkin bowling, and hayrides. Bring a bag to collect Halloween goodies from the farm. Brick oven pizzas, hotdogs, pumpkin cookies, popcorn, cider, beer and wine will be available to purchase. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Weir River Farm in Hingham will have its Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7. Visit the farm animals, climb aboard a tractor, make a fall craft, play festive games, get a farm tattoo, and more. Visitors can participate in an art installation with Aaron Asis and Illegal Art. There will be plenty of food on hand to purchase from Wanderlust Food Truck, Mom on the Go, and Ribpublic of BBQ. Visitors can also enjoy ice cream from Ellie’s Treats. Local beer from Barrel House Z, Break Rock Brewery and Widowmaker Brewing will also be available to purchase. Live music will be performed by singer and guitarist Peter Mundt, the Crabgrass Bluegrass Band, and folk duo The Lied To’s. The Farm Store will be open for visitors to shop for fresh produce, cheese, baked goods, and other items. A sensory-friendly hour from 10 to 11 a.m. will be offered. During this hour, there will be reduced capacity, reduced noise and other accommodations for neurodiverse individuals and their families.
The Trustees offer many more family-fun programs throughout October, including several Halloween-themed events. For more information, go to www.thetrustees.org/Halloween. Tickets are on sale now for the signature events, Halloween on the Hill at Long Hill in Beverly, and the Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show in Stockbridge.