Pumpkin cannon and sunflower trails draw families to Fall Harvest Festival

Black Creek Flower Farms welcomed hundreds of visitors for its Fall Harvest Festival. Pictured, Adam Barker loads up the pumpkin cannon for onlookers during the event.

Black Creek Flower Farms welcomed hundreds of visitors for its Fall Harvest Festival last weekend, raising funds for the local food bank while offering a weekend of autumn fun.

The entry-by-donation event, now in its third year, took place on the farm grounds. Community vendors set up stations and sold their wares during the two-day festival.

The Fall Harvest Festival featured a winding sunflower trail, a bouncy castle, kids’ activities, a pumpkin cannon and the chance for visitors to pick flowers.

“The turnout was great and the weather was beautiful, entry is by donation, and the proceeds will go to the foodbank and we are hoping to raise a couple thousand dollars,” said Laura Barker, owner of Black Creek Flower Farms. “Last year we raised around $1,200, people can put what they want, and it gives everyone a chance to explore what we have to offer at the farm.”

A pumpkin cannon was one of this year’s new attractions. It was built and operated by Barker’s husband, Adam, who used spare parts he found around the farm.

“Started building it on a Monday and it was done by Friday, and we will continue on adding improvements to it,” said Adam Barker. “They do this sort of thing in the States somewhere for Thanksgiving and I thought it would be pretty cool to do that here because there’s nothing that really has this concept in this area that I know of.”

Laura Barker said the sunflower trail was extended this year and rock painting was added to the festival lineup. Her goal is to keep the event non-commercialized and focused on giving locals a chance to relax and enjoy the fall weather. Vendors rotated over the two days to give more people a chance to showcase their products.

“I love getting to see people, I’m doing laps and making everything run well and I get to socialize with everyone. We try to add more things everywhere and this year, we made the sunflower trail a touch longer,” said Barker. “It looks small, but it really takes you through the flowers. This is also a good educational opportunity to teach people some things about farming.”

Black Creek Flower Farm began in the 1950s as a wholesale gladiolus grower and bulb supplier. Over time, several family members began attending local farmers’ markets, gradually establishing a retail division. In the early 2000s, the farm opened its retail store alongside a new wholesale building.

In 2019, Black Creek Flower Farm expanded to include a U-Pick Garden open to the public. The business continues to grow within the community by hosting events such as weddings, gatherings and festivals.