Local children and families will converge on Johnson’s Country Market on Route 20 tomorrow for games, activities, pumpkin picking and the always-popular corn maze at Family Fun Day.
The market has held the event, which representatives said has been quite popular with local families, for two years. This year’s third annual event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday with entrance fees for kids 3 and older, covering all activities, at $6. Adults only have to pay $4 if they want to wander through the corn maze.
“The community has been very receptive,” said Rebecca Johnson, an employee of the market and wife of Keith Johnson, one of the owners of the business. “It’s a way to get the families out into the country and have a good time, and create a family day at a low cost.”
Henry C. Johnson; his wife, MaryLou; and their three sons, Henry Clay Johnson IV, Glenn P. Johnson Sr. and Keith W. Johnson, own and operate the market with the help of the sons’ wives. The October Family Fun Day has become a staple for the business, which is obviously family-oriented.
On Saturday, children will be able to participate in dozens of games and activities. Besides the corn maze, kids can compete to collect different-colored clothing pins in a maze built completely of shipping palates.
The Johnsons will also provide two moon bounces, a “Plinko” board, a spin-the-wheel game and a duck pond. A pumpkin ball bounce competition will entertain the crowd and, in keeping with seasonal tradition, there will be pumpkin ring toss, sand art, pumpkin painting and pumpkin-carving contests.
A pick-your-own pumpkin patch, featuring pumpkins of “different sizes and shapes” at the market is usually very popular as well, Rebecca Johnson said. Children can participate in all of the games and activities with the wristband purchased for $6. Sample foods provide by the market on Saturday will include crackers with jellies and they also plan to serve snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn.
“The corn maze and the pumpkin patch are probably the two biggest draws,” Rebecca Johnson said about Saturday’s event. “The pumpkins have been holding very well with the rain. There are still plenty of pumpkins out in the field to choose from.”
A running train display will also be available for visitors to enjoy.
At the market on Route 20, one mile northwest of its intersection with Routes 54 the Johnsons sell a variety of produce, including tomatoes and apples — some of which are still available — and fall peppers. Some homegrown mums are still available, as well, along with other fall decorations including Indian corn and straw bails.
The market also sells Ertl toy tractors and Thomas and Friends wooden railway toys.
Rebecca Johnson said this week that customers on Saturday, and anytime for that matter, will also be able to order turkeys for the holidays and they hope to offer hams, too. Gift baskets filled with a custom variety of McCutcheon’s jellies, juices, relishes and salad dressings are also available.