Over 40,000 people from all over the country come to Arthur, a town of 2,154, to enjoy The Great Pumpkin Patch in the brief six weeks it is open.

Any given weekend, the grassy parking lot is full with cars and traffic is backed up half a mile to the stop sign.

The nostalgic feeling of picking out pumpkins with siblings in windbreakers returns the moment the car stops.

The way the setting sun hits the recently plowed corn fields and the wind rustles the leaves to the ground, it is undeniable that fall is on the way.

For those students whose families prefer the outdoors rather than a crowded stadium they should take their family to The Great Pumpkin Patch.

Straw bale mazes, vertically aligned rows of pumpkins, and a variety of flowers from asters to bright red cockscomb are only a few of the enrapturing elements of the farm built in 1875.

Near the farm’s windmill, there is a one acre corn maze. Usually getting through the maze is reward enough, but the Great Pumpkin Patch offers something more. At the end of the maze is a platform that overlooks the farm, which is equivalent to 63 football fields combined.

The one room school house, haunted barn, and garden which emulates an enchanted Disney movie with leaves arching down over the bridge that looks out into a pond not only appeals to children, but a dichotomy of ages.

The door to the bakery opens to a intricately decorated shop with freshly painted navy blue walls displaying family photographs. Cakes, breads, and fresh sugar cookies iced with vanilla frosting and sprinkles are in a display case on the counter.

“It’s cross generational, people will be wowed by the sheer magnitude,” said Mac Condill, the owner’s son, who has worked at three royal botanical gardens in the world.

Amish women work efficiently in plain dark colored dresses in an immaculate kitchen that smells of freshly baked bread.

The pumpkin patch has gotten some nation-wide attention after being on the Martha Stewart show in 2005.

“Martha is very nice,” said owner Mary Beth Condill. “The first time she was all business, then on the show she was very cordial and warm.”

Mac will be back on the show to do a segment this Oct. in New York.

The Arthur experience doesn’t end when leaving the pumpkin patch. Buggies driven by the local Amish forces you to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

Nicole Conness can be reached at 581-7944 or denverge@gmail.com