Listen Here
By Lauren Rex
rexl@findlay.edu
It’s that time of year, when leaves are changing colors and people are carving pumpkins. Many love the fall season, but not only for the pretty views and refreshing weather.
In Findlay, there are many fall-based activities to do within a 30-minute drive of downtown Main Street. Whether you’re looking for pumpkins, flowers, or a good scare, Findlay’s got it all for every age during spooky season.
Greta Moats, a University of Findlay sophomore, enjoys fall for many reasons.
“I love the colors, fashion, and the food,” Moats said “I’m a big pumpkin spice girl.”
Moats especially loves fall in Findlay for picking sunflowers as well as haunted houses. And Findlay has both of these to offer.
The Homestead Fall farm, located at 6850 Township Road 258, in Alvada, OH, is a perfect place for families to spend an afternoon. Terri Price, Homestead Fall Farm owner, says there are a number of fun activities there for everyone. There are activities for all ages, such as play areas, a corn maze, and a gift shop that includes crafts. There is no entry fee, but certain activities cost a ticket or two. Each ticket costs one dollar.
The fields at Homestead Fall farm are packed with all the classic fall plants.
“Pumpkins and gourds… the fall things! Corn shucks, and fields of sunflowers and zinnias for picking bouquets,” Price said.
This year, the corn maze at Homestead is in the shape of Ohio. Each person that enters gets a trivia card where they answer questions throughout the maze. Price says that they are picking two overall winners from the whole season that will each receive a $100 Amazon gift card.
The Homestead Fall Farm opens the last weekend of September and closes on Oct. 31. It is open during the week 3 to 5 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays 12 to 6 p.m.
Another favorite pumpkin selling farm is known as Wolfes’s Produce. Wolfes’s Produce, located at 11343 state Route 37, sells pumpkins, Amish goods, as well as meats and cheeses. It is known for a vintage car, a blue truck filled with corn shucks and pumpkins. People love taking pictures with and posting it on social media. Wolfes’s produce is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For the people in Findlay that “love fear,” Purgatory is just the place. Purgatory, which is north of Main Street, is located at 12630 County Rd 216 in Findlay. Joe Hutton, the owner of Purgatory, is very passionate about his haunted house and wants everyone to experience it. At $15 per person, he prides himself in being the most affordable haunted house around. “The Town of Purgatory,” this year’s attraction, includes stone trails, a maze, an old fun house, a cemetery, and a saloon.
A lot goes in to making the perfect haunted house and Hutton is certain that having monsters that will never break character is a key component. On top of the scary and authentic monsters, chainsaws, lighting, and the overall ambiance are crucial to achieving the perfect scare. Hutton’s main goal of Purgatory is to be a scary, yet fun, haunted house.
Hutton says that sound effects and the right lighting are the finishing touches to set the scene for visitors.
Purgatory has no age minimum or maximum, but one must know, Purgatory is meant to give a good scare. For college students who need a break and a good scare, Purgatory might be just the place.
A trip to Purgatory lasts anywhere from 20 to 25 minutes with appearances from upwards of 15 monsters. Purgatory’s opened Oct. 1, and is open every Saturday through Oct. 29. Saturday hours are 8 to 12 p.m. It is also open the last two Fridays in October from 8 to 11 p.m.
