Why Celebrate Fall at Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport, Maine

The Fall Festival at Wolfe's Neck Farm is not like other fall festivals. It's better. If you're looking for a crowded, noisy production heavy on bouncy houses, cotton candy, stuffed prizes, and other manufactured fun — then go somewhere else. Wolfe's Neck Farm is about connecting with nature and community. Read on to discover why your family will fall in love with autumn at Wolfe's Neck Farm in Freeport, Maine.

Wolfe's Neck Farm in Freeport, Maine (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Fall Back in Time

This Fall Festival is a step back in time, when things were simpler. A middle-aged man leads a bluegrass band made up of kids of various ages. A group of ladies in colorful sweaters peddles homemade baked goods from behind a long table.

Horses on the farm (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

A boy offers up a handful of grass to one half of a pair of sturdy work horses. The horse munches it eagerly, tickling the boy into a burst of giggles.

Wolfe's Neck Farm ducks (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

White ducks waddle across the soggy grass, taking sips of water. Children peer at bunnies in their hutch. I gobble at the turkeys, who then gobble back and stare at me, confused.

Belted Galloway cows (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Oreo-colored cows stand silently in the distance, chewing grass. They're named Belted Galloways for the white “belt” striped across their black bodies.

Nature trail at Wolfe's Neck Farm (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

I take a walk on one of the nature trails that surround the farm. The fall trees shout out in hues of orange, crimson, gold, green. I spot a trickle of a stream and imagine it rushing in spring after the snows of winter melt.

Tractor-pulled hay ride to the pumpkin patch (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Families clamor aboard the hay ride for a visit to the pumpkin patch. Then, back at the farm kids decorate their freshly plucked prizes for Halloween with pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and foam stickers.

Child pressing apple cider during the Fall Festival (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Why this Fall Festival is Special

There are no carnival games at this Fall Festival. No miniature train. No vendors selling over-priced and unneeded toys. It's not that I don't like rides, games, and toys. I do. But sometimes it feels like there is too much commotion in the world around us and in our minds.

I stand listening to the bittersweet sounds of bluegrass music playing and breath in the chill of the crisp autumn air. Papery leaves tumble across the green of the grass. Kids chase chickens, spin the cider press, climb on a couple of John Deere tractors.

My eyes fill with tears. It's all so beautiful. It feels like everything I want in my life. In my children's lives. Room to truly enjoy the beauty that is all around us…if only we paused long enough to see it.

Kids and chickens at Wolfe's Neck Farm (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

More About Wolfe's Neck Farm

Wolfe's Neck Farm is open year-round and is free to visitors. This historic 626-acre farm on the Maine Coast is dedicated to sustainable agriculture, environmental education, and community well-being through the enjoyment of the natural landscape.

The farm hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the Fall Festival, weekend pumpkin hay rides all October-long, a Spring Festival, workshops and more.

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If you liked learning about this farm, then I bet you'll love these tips for connecting kids with nature on family vacation and these reasons to book a family farm stay vacation.

Would you like to celebrate fall at Wolfe's Neck Farm? Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments below!