Pumpkin patch in Benton Co. is now open

OXFORD, Ind. (WLFI) - The temperatures are cooling down, the leaves are starting to change color, and Saturdays are dedicated to Boilermaker football. Autumn is upon us, and Benton County's Millennium Farms Pumpkin Patch is open for its 7th season.

Owner Chris Schakel said what started as one acre of pumpkins expanded each year.

"It all started when my wife wanted to raise a few pumpkins. We just had about an acre of them. We sold out of the garage and then just every year she's kept adding more and more and now it's grown. We have a little over 12 acres this year," Schakel said.

The farm now offers more than just pumpkins.

"We have pony rides, a straw maze, and then we have the pumpkin hayrides where you can go out and pick your own pumpkin in addition to having the pumpkins that are pre-picked as well as flowers and decorations," Schakel said.

Schakel said people that come back year after year can't believe how much the farm has changed.

"We've had several families that come back every year and you get to see the kids grow up and they can kind of tell you, "Well, our first year, you just had them in the garage," and they're really amazed at how much it's grown over time.

Schakel has been watching people pick their perfect pumpkins for years, but he says there's no science to the selection process.

"Some people like the really tall, skinny ones. Some people come out just to find the ugliest pumpkin they can and others just want the perfect round one," Schakel said.

Kristi Lindquist brought her family to pick their own pumpkins and said she liked having something to do with her family that was affordable.

"It's nice to do a friendly thing that's not expensive and have fun doing it," Lindquist said.

"We've tried to keep our prices down to where it's still realistic for families to come out and have a good time all day long," Schakel said.

Millennium Farms is open on Saturdays and Sundays until November 1st. Visitors can come between 9a.m. and dusk.