By Abby Walton
For the past 14 years, the Bankert family of Zionsville has shared their love of the harvest season with the community by hosting Pumpkinfest at their farm.
“This is our favorite season so why not share that love with others?” said Lori Bankert, co-owner of the farm. So they started out with a simple straw maze and sold some of their crops. Now the activities have expanded from one weekend in October to every weekend.
“Now everything is down at the Country Market, which is owned and operated by my husband’s family.”
The Country Market is a lunch room and gift shop. A daily special is served Monday through Friday including fried chicken on Thursdays and catfish on Fridays.
“Our hand-breaded tenderloins come highly recommended,” Bankert said. People can also come to the market to get their fall decorations and other unique gift items.
While The Country Market is open during the week, the Bankerts also would like people to come out on the weekends. During October the farm hosts a different festival every weekend. Besides venturing through a corn maze or taking a hayride, there are all sorts of activities and crafts for the whole family. There are fresh donuts, cider, kettle corn and pony rides for $4.
During the week the Bankerts use their farm to teach school groups about where their food comes from and what crops are important to Indiana. To schedule a tour or find out more information about Pumpkinfest, go to www.thepumpkinfest.com.
Pumpkinfest
795 S. U.S. Hwy 421
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 5
Noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 6
The Country Market is open Mon. – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Adults $10, youth 3 to 15 $9 and children: 2 and under are free
Phone number: 769-4556
