Can you feel it? The crispness in the air, the changing of the leaves ... Wait. Is that pumpkin spice? That’s right, dear reader. It’s fall in the Chippewa Valley – one of the most beautiful seasons to be living here (we’re not biased or anything). Fill your days with outdoor hangs before winter sets in, and take in all the autumn vibes you can. We’re here to help.
bring your family to see giant pumpkins, enjoy a race, some dessert, and kid activities
words by SAWYER HOFF • photos by ANDREA PAULSETH
IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN! The annual Ginormous Pumpkin Festival is back this year on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Altoona’s River Prairie. Not only will you be able to check out some of the area’s most prodi gious pumpkins, but there will also be great fall food and activi ties for the whole family.
Pumpkin weigh-off is from 7am-2pm and will feature some se riously huge pumpkins and other large produce. Last year’s winning Atlantic Giant pumpkin came from Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, and ended up weighing in at a whop ping 2,002 lbs.
The best part about pumpkins? You can turn them into pie … or cupcakes … or muffins. The Pump kin Dessert Contest will take place from 10-11am and you can enter any sort of homemade pumpkin dessert. The first-place prize is $100, second place is $50, and the
third place prize is $25.
After checking out the freak ishly large produce, head over to The Great Pumpkin Races, open for all ages. At 9am there will be a 5K Run for anyone ages 9 and up; at 10:15 am there will be a Lil Pumpkin 1/4 mile run for kids ages 5-8 years old; and at 10:30am there will be an even tinier Tiny Tot 75 Yard Pumpkin Trot for kids 1-4 years old.
Your kids will also enjoy the Rubber Ducky Race starting at noon and will have the opportu nity to decorate some pumpkins beginning at 11am!
To round off the fun fall day, at 3pm there will be the Ginormous Pumpkin Drop. A giant pumpkin will be filled with candy and then dropped near the American flag in River Prairie.
Learn more information and register for contests online at rpgiantpumpkinfest.com.
apple I’ve ever tasted, and the flavor translated into a shrub seamlessly.”
Siren Shrub Co. has added the Honeycrisp Shrub flavor into their canned, ready-to-drink Sparkling Shrub line and it’s being described as cidery, luscious, and appropri ately cozy. It’s made from three
simple, clean ingredients: The Glass Orchard’s Honeycrisp Apples, organ ic apple cider vinegar, and organic cane sugar.
You can purchase your own Hon eycrisp Shrub at Volume One’s Local Store, The Glass Orchard, or online at sirenshrubs.com.
crisp apple, they decided they want ed to take on the challenge, despite never having considered adding an apple shrub to their menu.
bursts open the mo ment it hits your tastebuds,” McCord says. “The apple variety is juicier, crunchier, and sweeter than any
AVEnue Orchard • Apple Picking • 6700 Highway 53, Eau Claire • (715) 835-5141 • ave appleorchard.com Producing at least 15 types of apples, three types of plums, two types of pears, and more. Orchard shop features jams, jellies, ciders, butters, and more.
Blueberry Ridge Orchard • Apple Picking • E2795 Hageness Rd., Eleva • (715) 287-3366 • facebook.com/blueberryridgeorchard A 25 acre blueberry orchard that offers 7 varieties of pick your own blueberries. In fall, you can buy readypicked apples and plums.
Bushel and a Peck Market • Apple Picking, Pumpking Patches, Corn Maze • 18444 Co. Hwy OO, Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-0133 • bushelandapeckmarket.com A family-owned, pick your own orchard over 6,000 trees that produces over 30 varies of apples, pears, plums, and raspberries. In fall they have a pumpkin patch and 2 corn mazes of different sizes. Has an on-site bakery that makes pies from scratch, a gift shop, a country store that sells jams jellies, honey, crafts, and more. Enjoy pie and a glass of wine on the patio.
Connell’s Family Orchard Apple Picking, Pump king Patches • 19372 Co. Hwy OO, Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-5889 • connellsfamilyorchard. com Forty acres of fruit and veggies. Pick tart cherries, blueberries in July, and apples starting in August. Pies, ice cream, carameled apples, jams, honey, and salsas are also available.
Ferguson’s Orchard Apple Picking, Pumpkin Patches, Corn Maze • 6470 Balsam Road, Eau Claire • (715) 830-9370 • fergusonsorchard.com/ eau-claire Stroll through a large pick-your-own orchard, pick the perfect pumpkin, and find hours of fun for all ages in the Apple Blossom Park. Their country store offers delicious baked pastries, local jams, syrups and gifts, and cara mel apples. Check out the corn maze and look forward to the haunted house later in the season.
The Glass Orchard Apple Picking • 130 Deerfield Road, Eau Claire • (715) 252-0720 • facebook. com/theglassorchardWI The glass orchard is an apple orchard and fused glass studio. Their retail store offers pre-picked apples, pick-your-own apples, fresh apple cider, handblown glass, fused glass, local handmade art, household goods, and hosts glass classes.
Govin’s Meats & Berries Pumpking Patches, Corn Maze • N6134 670th St, Menomonie • (715) 231-2377 • govinsmeatsandberries.com In fall, Govin’s features three full acres of pick-your-
own pumpkin patch, tractor-pulled hay rides, 11-acre corn maze. They sell a variety of produce and grass-fed/range-fed meats.
Klinger Farm Market Pumpkin Patches, Corn Maze • 12756 132nd St, Chippewa Falls • (715) 288-6348 • klingerfarmmarket.com In fall, Klinger Farm Market offers a 4.5 acre corn maze, petting zoo with llamas, donkeys, lambs and more, lawn games, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin patches, and more. Check out the autumn-themed sundries in their country store like caramel apples, cider, peanut blends, snacks, and more.
Leffel Roots Apple Orchard Apple Picking, Pumpkin Patches, Corn Maze • W2369 Maple Rd., Eau Claire • (715) 514-5171 • leffelroots. com A small, family-owned and operated orchard. They sell pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, pies, caramel apples, and host a fall corn maze.
Lowes Creek Tree Farm Pumpkin Patches • S9475 Lowes Creek Road, Eleva • (715) 878-4166 • lowescreektreefarm.com Lowes Creek Tree Farm is a 290 acre family owned choose-n-cut christmas tree operation located in the Wisconsin Northwoods. Visit the handscribed log cabin shoppe in October for pumpkins and seasonal harvest items.
Niblett’s Apple Shed Apple Picking, Pumpkin Patches • 18027 Cty Hwy OO, Chippewa Falls • facebook.com/NiblettsAppleShed/ Raises 23 varieties of apples. Pick your own, or pre-picked apples. Pre-picked pumpkins. Wagon rides, mini golf, picnic area, tours, apple slingshot and more attractions. Country store that sells salsa, syrups, dressings, flavored butter, honey, crafts, and more.
Valley Pasture Farm Pumpkin Patches, Corn Maze • E7631 N County Road E, Elk Mound • (715) 256-7676 • valleypasturefarm.com In Sep tember and October, Valley Pasture Farm hosts a Fall Harvest Festival and pick your own pump kin patch. Attractions include hay wagon rides, bounce houses, corn maze, giant slides, farm animals, lawn games, and much more.
Cut Rite Meats 872 N. Broadway St., Menomonie ^ facebook.com/cutritemeats Featuring homemade beef jerky, bratwurst, summer sausage, beef stix, and more. In-house smoked meats, and fresh meats including beef, pork, chicken, and seafood, with selection of cut, wrapped and frozen meat bundles.
Ellsworth Creamery Cooperative 3001 County Road B, Menomonie ^ (715) 430-5311 ^ ellsworth cheese.com The recently opened Menomonie lo cation of the award-winning Ellsworth Creamery. Watch the cheesemaking process, try deep fried cheese curds, and enjoy pizzas, sandwiches, ice cream, fudge, specialty meats, and more.
Jacobson’s Market & Scoops 17183 50th Ave nue, Chippewa Falls | 311 East Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, ^ Find it on Facebook Jacobson’s is a local grocery store in Chippewa Falls that special izes in meats of all kinds. They recently opened an ice cream counter for all of your chilled, summer dairy desires.
Just Local Food 1117 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire ^ (715) 552-3366 ^ justlocalfood.coop Focused on sourcing from and nurturing relationships with lo cal farmers and producers of high quality, natural, and organic foods for our community. They are dedicated to providing our customer-owners and community access to high quality local, organic, and natural foods – all at a fair price.
Klinger Farm Market 12756 132nd St., Chippewa Falls ^ (715) 288-6348 ^ klingerfarmmarket@ya hoo.com ^ klingerfarmmarket.com In addition to 18 greenhouses full of flowers, vegetable plants, herbs, shrubs, trees, hanging baskets, water plants, and house plants, Klinger offers a swath of freshly grown produce, home and garden ornaments, bird baths, jams, honeys, and organic gardening products. They are open year round.
Menomonie Market Food Co-op 814 Main St. East, Menomonie ^ (715) 235-6533 ^ mmfc. coop Located in downtown Menomonie, this co-
op stocks a wide variety of locally sourced meats such as beef, buffalo, chicken, heirloom pork, brats & sausages, lamb, and fresh, local seafood. Offers a wide variety of seasonal produce, chees es, dairy items, breads, spirits, and more grocery items. They have a deli, serving up fresh cuts and sandwiches, and they teach classes focusing on wellness, foraging, nutrition, and cooking.
Mike’s Star Market 2238 Heimstead Rd., Eau Claire ^ mikesstarmarket.com Features hor mone-free beef, local grass-fed beef, lean pork, hormone-free chicken, and local lamb, as well as lean pork sausages and brats, condiments, and custom spice mixes – all handmade right in our store for the freshest flavor.
Rump’s Butcher Shoppe 1411 Lynn Ave., Altoona ^ rumpsbutchershoppe.com Enjoy local meats, cheeses, domestic and craft beers, wines, spices & more. Pick up pre-build freezer paks of meat, meat & cheese trays, and check out their specials. They also offer wild game processing.
Sokup’s Market 624 N Bridge St., Chippewa Falls ^ (715) 723-4953 ^ Find this business on Facebook HERE Located in Downtown Chippe wa Falls. Fresh meat, cheese & produce. The best prices around for great quality. Family owned and operated.
Yellowstone Cheese 24105 County Highway MM, Cadott ^ yellowstonecheese.com Yellowstone Cheese offers homemade cheeses, wine, jams & jellies, mustards, maple syrup, gifts, take-n-bake pizzas, and so much more. They pride themselves on using milk from the Kenealy farm to create the over 30 flavors of cheese.
