Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch in Pingree Grove is the place to be this fall. In addition to their fun Fall Festival, they have now added a drive-thru lights Fall Light show through their farm. Cool, right? So on two separate occasions, we visited the farm in Pingree Grove (or Hampshire) to have some family fun. We had a fabulous time!
If you ever drive on Rt. 72 in South Barrington, you may be familiar with the huge pumpkin, “Happy Jack,” smiling down at you from Goebbert’s Farm and Garden Center of South Barrington. This is the family’s second location in Pingree Grove/Hampshire which we prefer because there is so much more room to navigate and is less crowded. Read on to find out what else we loved about our visit to Goebbert’s.
Highlights of Goebbert’s Fall Festival:
- Pumpkins for days! Part of the fun is actually hopping on a wagon then picking our very own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. The wagon runs continuously so you never have to wait long for a ride.
Warning: It may be muddy. Like super muddy. Comes with the territory. Just come prepared.
- Pumpkin Eating Dinosaur. At certain times, a pumpkin eating dinosaur wakes up an chows down on pumpkins.
- Food. On our last visit in April, we were able to try the fresh apple cider donuts. This time around we couldn’t resist their roasted corn topped with butter.
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This girl agrees!
- Choo choo! After entering the Western Town, we found the Pumpkin Express had already left for its last round. Luckily, they were kind enough to take our group. We’re so glad we did! We enjoyed a nice, scenic ride around the lake with skeletons, TNT, and small tunnels.
- Plenty of picture-perfect moments. Make sure your phone is charged because there are photo ops everywhere you turn.
- Plenty of other things to do. Since we came late in the day, we didn’t have a chance to do everything…..which is a lot! Love magic? Then you won’t want to miss Mr. D’s Magic Show on weekends. We were surprised to find giraffes and other exotic animals. Regular farm animals are there as well. Other things include: playgrounds, a corn pit, a huge pumpkin slide, jumping pillow, tire mountain, a haunted house, and so much more.
Highlights of Goebbert’s Fall Light Show:
- Come on, rain! Although it may have been raining when we visited the light show, it didn’t affect our experience. After all, we were in the comfort of our car, so the rain didn’t bother us. In fact, the rain may have added to the experience.
- Lights, lights and more lights. As expected, it was a great lights show with tunnels, dancing skeletons, a cool fog that creeps in. Since they also hold a holiday lights show, some of the lights included snowflakes and the such. The kids thought that was pretty funny.
Here’s a snippet of the fall lights show. Check it out for yourself!
Tips:
- Admission to the light show is extra from the Fall Festival admission.
- If you’d like to hang back and do the Fall Festival and light show you can leave and have a dinner and ice cream. Can I suggest Chick-n-Dip and The Milk House in Pingree Grove?
Bottom Line:
What a fun way to spend a beautiful fall day! So many things to do, and so many fun memories made. We will definitely be back.
Nitty Gritty:
Website: http://www.goebbertspumpkinpatch.com/fall-festival.html
Location: 42W813 Reinking Rd, Pingree Grove, IL
Hours: Open until Oct. 31st, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $15 weekends and Columbus Day, $12 Monday – Friday, Kids 2 & under free
Food: Yes, you can purchase food there.
Crowded: We visited on Columbus Day towards the end of the day and it was not crazy busy.
Disclosure: Although complimentary tickets were provided, as always all opinions are my own.
