Located on 8100 Pyramid Way, the Andelin Family Farm is celebrating a decade of growing pumpkins and inviting the Sparks community to come out and enjoy good wholesome family fun during its annual Fall Harvest Festival.
“It’s crazy how fast 10 years has gone by,” says Sparks native Cameron Andelin.
After meeting his wife Natalie and finishing college at University of Nevada, Reno, the Andelin’s had the opportunity to move back to the property, which is conveniently located close to schools, stores, and right off Pyramid Way. In 2009, the couple had the idea to grow a little pumpkin patch and see how it went.
They allotted a half acre for the pumpkins and worked it along with their five children and 1-2 part-time employees. The patch took off, the family had fun, and was eager to do it again – thus beginning a new autumn tradition. The Andelin’s added some other small activities in the following years and then a 5-acre corn maze.
“That was a big jump, and it allowed us to open for nighttime activities,” Cameron says. The Corn Creepers began spooking people who dared to go in it at night and they added Zombie Paintball.
“Now 10 years later, we have so many things we offer and a lot more people come,” he says, adding that the Andelin Family Farm also hosts field trips. According to their mission and purpose statement, the Andelin Family Farm is committed to family, the community, and the future generation, often hiring teenagers and teaching them valuable life skills while working on the farm.
It’s now to the point where multiple generations are coming back year after year, and the farm even has a pole where growing kids record their heights and will post it to Facebook.
“It’s fun to see families coming back. When we hear, ‘It’s our tradition to come to your farm’, it warms my heart,” Cameron recalls. About five years ago, he quit his other job to work the farm full time and feels lucky and blessed that the community supports it.
As for the 2019 Fall Harvest Festival, the Andelin’s now grow six acres of pumpkins, available in several varieties and sizes. The pumpkins are sold by the weight at the original prices that they set 10 years ago at $0.45 per pound for the Jack-o-Lantern pumpkins.
The biggest draw to the farm during this time of the year is definitely the pumpkins, but the hayrides, farm animals, and nighttime Corn Creepers is popular as well. The 100-acre farm recently added a third school bus for Zombie Paintball and added a Gaga Ball pit.
The 10th Anniversary Fall Harvest Festival is going on now through the end of the month, with the nighttime activities including the Corn Creepers corn maze and Zombie Paintball available through November 2. For hours, more information, or to buy tickets online, visit www.andelinfamilyfarm.com.
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