The Fall Family Festival has returned to Malverne for its third year.
Offering activities for the whole family, the event will take place each weekend in October at Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s. Similar to previous years, this year’s festival features hayrides, an expanded pumpkin patch, chickens, a bounce house, a children’s obstacle course and food trucks with live music secured by Andy Shaffer of Homebrew Music.
“It is really exciting because we’ve really gotten into a flow with it,” farm operations manager Michael D’Angelo said. “It’s kind of whimsical and special, and just knowing that they have that farm and this kind of resource in their backyard is what we want them to take away.”
The festival offers families a more convenient option in terms of travel and price when it comes to pumpkin picking this fall. D’Angelo said the farm’s smaller, more intimate setting gives families the opportunity to spend several hours enjoying activities without the large crowds or lengthy drives often associated with bigger attractions.
“Being able to pick pumpkins in a real pumpkin patch that has the vines growing around you, it’s just a very unique experience,” he said. “We just want to make sure that we’re that open community space for everyone.”
For the first time, the festival is a ticketed event, with admission covering nearly all activities at the farm except food, drinks and pumpkins.
“It’s a really fun time because not only do our regular customers and community come and support us, but this is kind of the time where they bring their friends, and we see a lot of new faces,” store and events manager Sara Santora said. “It’s a really nice time where all the staff and community are coming together at the end of the year and just enjoying the farm one last time.”
As Crossroads’ way of closing out its season with a celebration, the festival also gives the farm an opportunity to remind residents of its nonprofit mission to provide fresh, locally grown produce and educational opportunities for the community.
“We get to share the joy that is Crossroads Farm,” she said. “We are just trying to keep it going for the community and provide organic, fresh produce for the community and be able to provide amazing educational programs.”
All proceeds from the Fall Family Festival go directly toward farm operations that help keep Crossroads running year after year.
