It’s that time of year! Pumpkin season! Visiting pumpkin patches is a beloved fall activity for many. And until a few years ago, there wasn’t really a place to do that in Wright County. And that’s where Walton Farms of rural Clarion found their niche.
Olivia Walton and her mother-in-law Kathy run the operation which is fully titled The Barn at Walton Farms. Olivia explains that the idea for the actual business started around four years ago. Back then, she convinced her husband Austin to grow a few pumpkins out at the farm, which is located on 195th Street just north of Clarion. They ended up selling some of the pumpkin crop here and there and the idea started to bloom. The pumpkin patch soon became much larger with gourds and squash in addition to pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors.
In addition to pumpkins, another big feature of the Walton’s operation is what happens in the actual barn. The barn is a full-on store, selling locally made and handmade décor in addition to other crafty items and some flowers. Kathy laughs when she says it wasn’t the easiest thing to convince her husband Adam to clean up the barn for the purpose of a store and pore cement. It certainly paid off though.
Last year the business became official when they acquired a tax ID number. Olivia and Kathy said, at that time, they were also looking at ways to expand. They started to add other fun attractions at the farm. There are activities for kids like a corn sand box, bouncy toys, and a miniature obstacle course. They even have a sizable corn maze that they intend to convert into a haunted maze at the end of the month for Halloween.
The Waltons said that their notoriety rose last year when they hosted a Community Day sponsored by the Clarion Chamber, which they hosted again just a few weeks ago. In addition to all the regular fun activities, there was also a magician, balloon animals, pinatas and food vendors out at the farm.
They also added other fun events this fall. Kathy said, “We really tried to plan this year and do a calendar for events.” The Clarion Police Department and Fire Departments came out on different weekends for programs. The Clarion Library put on a story time. And recently, the Barn hosted a succulent pumpkin-making workshop with Black Dahlia Flowers and Gifts.
Both Kathy and Olivia say that the Barn at Walton Farms has been a great adventure so far. “It has been so fun meeting all the new people who have come out and also getting family together to help,” Kathy stated. “Being able to offer family-friendly activities has been awesome. Sometimes families will just come out to bring the kids to play,” Olivia added.
As fall winds down, the Waltons say they will be open weekends throughout October with November 1 as their final day. They are also open weekdays by appointment which can be made by calling 641-691-6086. They do not charge admission and there is plenty of space to park. The address of The Barn at Walton Farms is 2291 195th Street, Clarion.
Olivia and Kathy are happy with how far they have come with the business and are excited to see it move forward and grow. They have a few new ideas that they are considering for down the road. Whatever happens, there will be plenty of pumpkins to pick and fun to be had!
