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Stade’s (Stad-days) Farm Market host the Shares of Autumn Fall Festival every year starting in September, the festival then runs for eight weekends. During the festival you’ll experience a day at the farm enjoying nature’s bounty along with great entertainment.
Stade’s has been hosting the Shares of Autumn Fall Festival since 1997, that is 20 years of great times with unforgettable memories. Vern Stade started his journey with humble beginnings in 1977 which started out as growing feed crops. Now Stade’s Farm and Market invites everyone from all around to stop by the market to pick fresh fruits like strawberries, cantaloupe, and raspberries and vegetables like tomatoes, green beans, and broccoli then stick around for one of the many events being held every year.
Save money now with the Chicago CityPASS, Adult, ages 12+
Shares of Autumn at the farm is a fall harvest extravaganza where you can pick your own pumpkin and explore the over 30 farm related attractions. The most recent attractions to be added are barn and playhouse games, apple cannons, authentic Semi-truck slide, and the menagerie carousel with even more surprises in store.
If you are new to Stade’s Farm and Market or if you come every year you are sure to find favorites with entertainment attractions like a corn maze that will test your skill, duck races, cattle truck maze, tractor tire swings, pumpkin cannon, and observation bridge. There are also fun and safe activities for smaller kids like the barrel train, inflatable jumping pillow, and giant sandbox.
Got kids? Save money with the Chicago CityPASS, Child, ages 3-11
The petting zoo has cute four legged friends you can meet before heading off to the hayride to pick your pumpkin. You and the kids will get up close and personal with bunnies, goats, a horse, turtle, alpaca, and the mama Llama.
Spend a day not only picking pumpkins but harvesting memories. Stade’s grows many varieties of pumpkins in a lot of shapes, sizes and colors. We were delighted to learn about the pink pumpkins called “Porcelien Doll” that was sponsored by the American Cancer Society and is in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.
While picking your pumpkin there are a few important factors though. To start off, its important to dress comfortably but appropriate for the weather conditions. If there is rain in the forecast or the rain has already came keep in mind the you pick field maybe a little muddy. When picking your pumpkin the brighter orange in color the healthier the pumpkins kin. The stems might be a little prickly so it’s OK if you’d rather wear gloves while picking the perfect pumpkin.
Venturing out on the hayride to the pumpkin patch is fun and exciting on the way back because you get to hold your very own pumpkin that you picked. When hunger hits, stop by the bakery for lunch and a sweet snack. Don’t forget to try the apple cider donuts! Different vendors will be onsite as well, give them a try and find a new favorite to add to your list.
Miss Sarah enjoyed chatting with Mr Stade about the way he handled crop rotation and how he tries to maintain and preserve the topsoil as he farms his land. She just finished studying the “Dust Bowl” of the Great Plains and got a living lesson from this Agritourism stop. His passion for the land comes through as he talks and how while he is always looking for something new to add – he wants it all to be about educating kids on farming.
Don’t just listen to us – Take a wagon ride yourself to find the PERFECT pumpkin and learn more about all of the amazing farm-tractions and their Shades of Autumn Fall Festival!
Connect with Stade’s Farm & Market:
- Facebook @Stadesfarmandmarket
- Istagram @stadefarm
This is just ONE stop in my A Fall Bucket List for McHenry Illinois book! It’s worth a visit!
