Amish Country Blog

I went to Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard on Saturday.   It was wet and cold, but we still managed to have the best time.  We were there about 10:30am, and the car lot was almost full.  We went right to the line for the tractor ride to go to the pumpkin patch.  It was a long wait.  I loved watching all the kids running to the apple orchard to pick the apples, and seeing people line up to buy all the great food items.

When we finally made it out the pumpkin patch, the ground was very wet, and I was very glad that I wore boots!  After about 20 minutes, we found our perfect pumpkin.  On the way pack from the pumpkin patch, we met a family who each had a pumpkin.  I found out they had been coming to Kercher’s every year since their daughter was five.  It’s great that families mark this event.

Early Saturday morning, I read a twitter from Kercher’s that they were roasting a hog for their pulled pork sandwiches.  I had to try one.  It was the best!  With apple cider and an apple dumpling, I had the best lunch.

So next year, when you need a pumpkin and want time to enjoy Fall, go to Kercher’s.  If you went to the Kercher’s, what did you enjoy doing?  Do you have a picture of your pumpkin?  Show us what you picked.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

You can always find something to do in Amish Country.   September is full of Festivals.  So here is just a listing. For details, please go to our event page at amishcountry.org/events.

Bristol Storytelling Festival September 11-12
Nappanee Apple Festival September 17-20
Borkholder Dutch Village Fall Furniture Festival September 18-19
Middlebury Fall Festival September 18-19
Mennonite Relief Sale September 26
Pumpkin Chase Race September 27

If you’ve been here for one of these festivals, let us know what you enjoyed about it.  I love the Mennonite Relief Sale.  Although I can’t afford any of the auction items, I love the feel of having all those people in one place helping a great cause.  I know many people love the Nappanee Apple Festival’s 7 foot pie.  Whatever your looking for, I’m sure one of our September festivals has something to enhance your trip.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

I have a great babysitter. She took my 16 month old daughter, Mina, and her 3 kids, ages from 4 years to 9 months to Kercher’s Apple Orchard. Mina picked up every stick she could find. She loves saying words, and lucky for my babysitter, apple is a new word, which she said every time she saw an apple. (Can you imagine how many times she said apple?) It was also reported to me that Mina also liked to pick up the apples off the ground, as close to the tree as possible. I don’t know how many bites of apple she had to eat, but she wasn’t hungry for the rest of the night. The kids had a great time.

So in return for her taking Mina out to Kercher’s, we’re going to take my babysitters family to another pumpkin patch in October. I can’t wait to see the kids faces when they see pumpkins dressed up and decorated. We’re going to let them pick up their jack-o-lanterns too. Since Mina’s babysitter is new to the area, we are then going to Das Dutchman Essenhaus to eat lunch…dinner… Do you really eat another meal after going to the Essenhaus?

Fall is a great time. There is so much to do, and it’s nice that our attractions focus on the outdoors. So before you go hibernate for the winter, get out and enjoy the outdoors. If you have a fun pumpkin patch story or photo comment now and share it!

-Mindy, Northern Indiana Amish Country Contributor

Fall is my favorite time of year.  The leaves start turning, and going home, I get to drive down east Jackson St., and enjoy the beautiful color. It’s that time when we need sweaters at night or early in the morning, and I get to start dressing my baby in ‘jammies’ that need footies. (They are my one of my favorite things.) 

The morning air is crisp, but doesn’t assault your mucus membranes when you inhale, like January and February air.  You can keep your windows open in at night, put on an extra blanket, snuggle up to your favorite bedtime buddy, and just enjoy the fact you’re not spending money on cooling the house down, or heating it yet.   

There is The Best of Autumn Outing driving tour on the Amish Country website.  Download it from the Special Tours tab, and go to all the places that celebrate fall. Take a walk down E. Jackson St. and sit for awhile at Martin’s Landing. The ducks are use to people feeding them, so when you go, expect to surround by a group or two. Go to Bonneyville Mill, take your last picnic of the year, and enjoy being outside before you have to stay in for the winter. 

Go to Middlebury and find Dutch County Market, Miller’s Apple Cider Mill and Pumpkin Patch Market– buy some pumpkins.  Then head to Goshen and walk the Mill Race, and then go to Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard. Or go to Amish Acers and see all the great things they do for fall and end your day by watching Kiss Me Kate at the Round Barn Theatre. Whatever you do, it will be fun.

If you live here, take all season and discover autumn in our area.  If you’re visiting, take a couple of days to explore the Best of Autumn Outing - it will be worth your time.

Mindy – Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

Grab your camera and pack up the kids! If you’re looking for the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors this season we have fabulous fall activities everyone will enjoy!  

Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard Goshen, IN
Fall Harvest Fest October 6-7, 2007, Goshen’s Best Kept Secret
Apple picking of many varieties, wagon ride to the u-pick pumpkins, cider pressing, and a farm market with yummy treats all season long. Make memories to last a lifetime with a visit to Kercher’s.

Knollbrook Farm Goshen, IN
Enjoy a day on the farm! Step into a family friendly corn maze with over 10 miles of pathways, Rosie’s Farm Maze covers 7 acres and has 3 different trivia scavenger hunts to choose from. Take a spin around the trike track, have a wing at the pumpkin sling shot, and pick out the perfect jack-o-lantern pumpkin in the u-pick patch. Hearty Mums and other fall goodies for sale in the farm market.

Amish Acres Fall Harvest Days Nappanee, IN
Experience the fall fun of yesteryear with a visit to Amish Acres Fall Harvest Days. Old fashioned cider pressing demonstrations, apple butter boiling, wagon rides, pumpkin picking and marshmallow roasting are all activities you can enjoy. Stop by the Old Fashion Soda Shop for some Pumpkin flavored ice cream and fudge.

The Great Pumpkin Tree Wakarusa, IN
Come to Wakarusa and see the Great Pumpkin Tree! A 17 foot tree made with over 200 pumpkins will be on display from October 10-27, 2007. Join in the fun at the Wakarusa Harvest Halloween Party October 27. There will be games for everyone to enjoy including a cake walk, hayride, and costume contest. During the time the tree is on display stores throughout town will hold special fall sales including the Wakarusa Dime Store featuring a fall spice mix of Jumbo Jelly Beans.

Octoberfest Elkhart, IN
October 6, 2007, 5-9pm, Live German music by Lloyd’s Wienerschnitzel Band, free polka lessons, food court with fall favorites, beer and wine garden featuring German and domestic beer and wine — fun for the whole family! Free Admission.

First Fridays Octoberfest Goshen, IN
Downtown Goshen’s First Fridays event on October 5, 2007 will feature an Octoberfest theme.
Jay Fox and the Bavarian Showtime Band will perform along with The Goshen High School band and many others. A bike parade, Porsche car show and Ice cream festival will add to the excitement offering an evening of fun for everyone. Stop by local restaurants and shops for specials features and sales.