Educational farm delights kids, adults alike

What grows on the Wishing Star Farm?

Pigs, llamas, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, horses, a camel, and most importantly, memories.

Plenty of the latter were harvested Sunday, as hundreds of adults and children flocked to Susan McGinnis’ 40-acre educational farm in Black Forest, where the digital cameras and video recorders were as plentiful as the piles of manure.

This year’s fall festival, which runs Wednesdays through Sundays until Nov. 8, has everything needed to celebrate the season: hands-on farm animals, a hay ride, a children’s train, a pumpkin patch, a 100-foot slide, haystacks to climb and tractor tires to explore, a duck race game and the ever-popular pony rides.

“There’s a demand for fall festivities, and it’s important that children get a real farm experience because it plants the seeds for future farmers and ranchers,” said McGinnis, who has been teaching children about farm animals for 10 years.

It was 2-year-old Wesley Carter’s first encounter with a petting zoo, which included a large furry camel that he got to nuzzle.

“It tried to give him kisses,” said his dad, Ben. “It’s the first time he’s been quiet in a while.”

Angie Moore, of Colorado Springs, returned to Wishing Star Farm this year because she and her three children had so much fun at last year’s event, which was smaller and didn’t have as many activities.

“We’re from Texas, and I was raised on a farm, so this is home to me. Being in the city, I know what my kids are missing out on,” she said while waiting in line for what her children called the “long and bumpy” potato sack slide.

The pony ride, featuring five miniature horses, was by far the most sought-after attraction for youngsters, with some families queuing up for more than half an hour.

But it was worth the wait, said 5-year-old Karleigh Thorpe, of Peyton.

“I got to be in the lead,” she said. “I liked that the best.”

DETAILS

What: Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch at Wishing Star Farm

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays through Nov. 8

Where: 6760 Ropers Point, Black Forest

Cost: One admission for all attractions. Adults, $5; children, $10; under 1 free.

Information: www.wishingstarfarm.com or call 495-5888.

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