Experience fall at Basse’s Farms

As the crisp autumn air rolls in and the leaves begin to turn, there’s no better way to embrace the season than by visiting Basse’s Taste of Country Farm’s Pumpkin Festival. Located in Colgate, Wisconsin, Basse’s Farms is a family-friendly destination that transforms into a vibrant scene of autumn fun each fall.

During our recent visit, we embraced all of the fall vibes with a group of friends—it was such a wholesome way to spend time together outside in the fresh air. We had a blast!

Whether you’re a first-time guest or a seasoned pumpkin fest go-er, here’s how to make the most of your day at Basse’s Farms.

Plan your visit

Basse’s Farms’ Pumpkin Festival runs from mid-September through October, with different events and attractions available throughout the season. The farm is open on weekdays and weekends.

Tickets can be purchased online, and it’s recommended to book ahead of time as weekends can get busy. With general admission, you’ll have access to most of the attractions, though some special activities may have additional costs.

Basse’s is a cashless facility, so be prepared to pay via card or Apple Pay during your visit.

3190 County Rd Q, Colgate, WI 53017
bassesfarms.com/events/pumpkin-fest/

The Basse’s experience

Upon arrival, you’ll find a scene straight out of a fall fairy tale: Basse’s Farms’ Pumpkin Festival lives up to the name! There are countless activities ready to be explored, in an environment buzzing with seasonal sights, smells, and activities.

Parking is free, and during busy times there are attendants directing traffic. Prepare to walk a little on farm-like terrain!

Tickets are required to enter, and they can be purchased on-site or beforehand online (easy to scan via QR code). After purchasing Festival tickets, wristbands are given and required.

After entering, Basse’s is open to explore! There are countless activities and spots to check out—games, farm animals, displays, photo opportunities, food, drink, you name it. There’s a map near the front entrance, and I highly recommend scoping it out.

Activities

Pumpkin patch

There’s no better way to embrace the spirit of the season than a trip to a pumpkin patch. The Basse’s pumpkin patch has pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes to choose from. Plus, it’s conveniently located close to the parking lot for less of a long haul. Wagons are available on a first-come basis.

Corn maze

The corn maze is another iconic activity available at Basse’s Farms. Each year, the farm designs an intricate maze for visitors to explore, with a scavenger hunt element. You’re given a paper with trivia questions, with answers that lead you to the next clue.

We participated in this year’s rendition, which was Chad’s first-ever corn maze! The trivia questions were Beetlejuice-themed, which was a fun twist. If you’ve never seen it or don’t know the answers, don’t worry! You can take on the corn maze traditionally—by sense of left or right!

Games and activities

Beyond pumpkins and mazes, Basse’s Farms offers a wide array of family-friendly games activities to fill your day with fun. Some of the farm’s most popular attractions include:

And even more! There were SO many activities for kids of all ages.

I personally loved all of the throwing games, the giant connect four, and all of the fun photo opportunities throughout the festival.

Shows

There’s also an element of live entertainment at Basse’s Farms! There are a wide range of rotating shows, including:

• Pig races
• Dog show
• Candy cannon
• Wild west showdown
• Lumber jack show

Fall treats

One of my very favorite parts of my trip to Basse’s Farms were the treats!

We made a first stop to the barn beer garden, where there was a great selection of beer, cider, and hard kombucha. I opted for an apple wheat beer, whereas Chad got a pumpkin ale—we both enjoyed our choices.

Another major highlight was ordering and sharing the apple cider slushie float, which was topped with an apple cider donut and sprinkles! It was decadent and delicious and I highly recommend trying one for yourself. Order these at The Coop!

For other food options, there are food trucks available on-site with a ton of local favorites. Outside of the festival, you can also shop the Country Store, which sells Basse’s homegrown goodies, from produce to baked goods and jams. We picked up a bag of kettle corn and some “Luda Crisp” apples, which have been fantastic to enjoy at home.

See you at Basse’s Farms

Since moving to Milwaukee, I’ve come to understand that the Midwest doesn’t mess around when it comes to fall. Basse’s Farms’ Pumpkin Festival is the perfect example! It’s an immersive autumn experience that is expansive, adventurous, and so incredibly fun.

My advice: grab your plaid and head to Basse’s!

---