On the Route to the Blueberry Festival Parade
by John Hensler
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival has come and gone, but we sure did have fun while it lasted. With over 500,000 people in attendance, the festival is second only to the Indianapolis 500 in size for a weekend event. What’s not to love? Arts and crafts, tractor pulls and those amazing blueberry doughnuts- of course we wanted to join the crowds in Plymouth’s Centennial Park.
As much as we love all those sweet blueberry treats, it’s the parade that really gets our hearts pounding, and this year Hensler’s had the honor of participating in the Blueberry Festival parade. We shined up our 1961 Ford tractor and sent two floats down Michigan street to the beat of the high school marching bands.
Our two floats, one for Fall Fest and the other for Christmas Fest, represented how we like to celebrate the seasons. We’re hosting continuous festivities starting September 13th with Fall Fest which goes all the way through October. On November 1st we’ll make the transition to Christmas Fest which ends on Christmas Eve. Our floats are just a preview for the party we’re planning to host this year at Hensler’s.
We’re so proud of the work that went into making our floats. We had the opportunity to work with artist Mitch Markovitz who created the illustrations used on our banners. If you attended the parade, you may have realized that the boy on the Fall Fest banner looked very much like the boy waving to the crowd on the float. His name is Matthew and he’s Mitch’s son who has become our face of Fall.
Read More
Hensler Nursery Begins New Tradition with Fall Fest
At Hensler’s, we have enjoyed celebrating Christmas every year with our five-week Christmas Fest so much, that we decided to add another festivity. Fall Fest!
The idea is simple. Celebrate the Fall season and enjoy the beautiful change in colors, weather and seasonal activities on our 300-acre nursery. Starting September 13 through the end of October, visit Hensler’s and participate in Fall Fest events from horse trail rides to our special Giant Pumpkin Weigh-in contest.
One of the biggest attractions of Fall Fest is the food. Rent a campfire site for the evening and bring your own food to cook by the fire. Or you can visit our cafeteria with a selection of hamburgers, hot dogs, warm apple cider, apple dumplings and more. You may also purchase specially-prepared items to take home such as maple syrup, pies and apple butter, jams and jellies.
Below are some of the additional ways you can enjoy Fall Fest with us:
- Visit the pumpkin patch for a unique variety of specially-grown pumpkins.
- Attend the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-in contest on Saturday, September 20, 2008.
- Enjoy horse-back riding? Horse trail rides are available with guided tours.
- Start decorating with straw, pumpkins, gourds and potted plants.
Bring your family, invite your friends and spend an afternoon at Hensler’s. Finally it’s Fall!
Horse Trail Rides for the Entire Family at Fall Fest
Enjoy horse trail rides through the nursery with 30-minute or 60-minute guided tours Friday-Sunday. The trail rides will be led by an experienced guide in small groups.
The trail traverses Hensler’s Nursery down the drive and through Black Oak and Scotch Pine wooded areas. The longer guided tour takes riders through the scenic Christmas tree fields and then on through the Pumpkin Patch.
To make the most of your experience, reservations are recommended in advance, but not required. For larger groups of 20 or more a reservation will be needed.
The horses are gentle, experienced and seasoned in trail rides. The tours are guided by experienced trail-hands. Guests on these rides will conform to the rules established by the Trail Concession group so all guests will receive a comfortable, safe and pleasurable experience.
In Brief:
- 30-minute or 60-minuted guided tours
- Trail rides available Friday-Sunday, or by special reservation.
- Experience guides will lead the horse trail rides through Hensler’s Nursery
- Small fee
Indiana Pumpkin Growers’ Giant Pumpkin Weigh-in
Hensler’s is pleased to host the Indiana Pumpkin Growers Association’s annual giant pumpkin weigh-in contest on Saturday, September 20, 2008. This event is open to professional pumpkin growers.
- On-site registration and check-in begins at 9 a.m. Central Standard Time.
- The contest begins at 11 a.m. Central Standard Time.
Registration is handled by the Indiana Pumpkin Growers Association. The top 10 winners will receive a cash award.
Participants of the pumpkin contest in the past have entered pumpkins that weigh between 170 lbs to nearly 1,000 lbs. Come out to Hensler’s for this unique event to view these sizable pumpkins!
For more information, visit the IPGA web site.