Families made the most of the crisp weather on Sunday, packing the fall fields at Richdale Farm.
Every year, the Wytheville farm, which as established in 1876 and is now in its fifth generation of working the land, hosts a slew of ever-growing autumnal activities designed to please all ages.
In addition to selling 15 varieties of gourds and pumpkins grown on 20 acres at the farm, Richdale boasts family fun activities from basketball hoops and corn mazes to checkers and see-saws.
Once inside the fence line at Richdale, there’s no shortage of things to do. Lisa Crowgey said that the youngest visitors tend to spend a good bit of time playing in the corn pit inside the barn, while adults and older children favor the hillside and mineshaft slides racing down the hill behind the corn maze.
Now in it’s third year, the flashlight maze has been a big hit for the farm. After-dark admission is $8 per person, and flashlights are available for those needing one to find their way through at night. The last entrance to the maze is at 9:30 p.m.
Crowgey says that diversification ensures the farm keeps producing for another 150 years. While agritourism isn’t the main element, it is an important one, she said.
In addition to welcoming visitors every fall, Richdale operates a seasonal grazing dairy, maintains a beef herd, growns hemp and sweet corn and raises Katahdin sheep on more than 650 acres just a few miles from Wal-Mart and the Interstate 81/77 interchange.
Each year, the farm adds new attractions. This year, a digger zone was set up in the corn pit, stacked tires provide a jungle gym for young adventurers and two mineshaft slides journey beneath the earth – yes, underground. Then there’s the cow pong. It’s like it’s over-21 cousin but with feed buckets and basketballs – and no chance of regret the next morning.
Old favorites, including hay rides, the apple cannon, hamster wheels and the barrel train, are running, too. And if all the activity works up a hunger? Richdale’s got it covered. Through the season, food trucks are on site every Saturday and Sunday.
On Oct. 23, Saltville’s Dog House Grill will be at the Wytheville farm. Marion’s D’s Street Grubb sets up shop on Oct. 24. Slider Kings of Wytheville closes out the spooky season on Oct. 30 and 31.
Crowgey said the food trucks are usually ready to book the coming year when the day is done.
Speaking of when the day is done, once October ends, the work begins anew for the Crowgey family. They start planning out the next season starting in November. Come summer, preparations begin in earnest, with weekends in August and September non-stop work, getting everything ready.
“We already have ideas for next year,” she promises. “Always planning, always thinking toward the next thing.”
The celebration of fall continues on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31. The farm is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $9 with kids under 2 free.
