I was driving to see family Nolensville when the prettiest stack of pumpkins, and what looked like the beginnings of a harvest party, on the side of Highway 96 made me stop.
Luckily Angie Blanton, owner of The Farmhouse Fields on the property, was working, and she happily shook my hand and gave me a little tour.
The Nashville-native started the small family event business last year. After the last of her children moved out of the house, the talented, stay-at-home mom began to ponder what her next steps would be. She had always enjoyed hosting parties and helping with events for her kids' schools, so that seemed like a natural direction.
Blanton partnered with a friend who owned the Rutherford County property and began offering seasonal fun for family and friends. In October, she hosted harvest games, sold fresh Fraser firs from North Carolina at Christmas time, and threw Easter Egg Hunts in the spring.
The result was a steady following of families looking for a way to spend quality time together outdoors without the hassle of large crowds. For Blanton, that was a dream come true — to help parents and children connect and enjoy one another as she and her own children had done.
After my initial stop-in, I was able to bring my own kids out later to experience the fields ourselves. The kids adored the tall grass maze (less overwhelming than the corn mazes we seem to lose ourselves in so easily) and happily played with bubble sticks and coloring books at the children's table. Pumpkin painting was messy, but thanks to Blanton's expert organization, most of the painting stayed on the pumpkin. We tossed bean bags at the corn hole boards, and both kids loved playing tic-tac-toe with tiny pumpkins.
The highlight for us, though, had to be "punkin' chunkin'" –a game of launching mini-pumpkins at cheerful scarecrows in a field. Under Blanton's direction we launched them over and over again, laughing, and running to find our not-quite ruined gourds in the grass to reload and slingshot them once more.
This month Blanton's activities for families include the grass maze, pumpkin painting, punkin chunkin', and hay rides Friday-Saturday, for individual cost, while corn hole, pumpkin tic tac toe, bubbles and coloring are free. Guests can purchase additional pumpkins, apple gourds, hay bales, and corn stalks on site, and all visitors are also welcome to bring picnics.
The fun continues until the end of the month, with a pumpkin clearance sale the weekend after Halloween. Blanton's holiday festivities continue, however, with Fraser firs for sale on the property starting November 16. Purchasing clients can also enjoy hot chocolate and s'mores during their visit.
Blanton continues to develop ideas for the picture-perfect property, framed by tall trees, old barns, and Blanton's own curated touches. Photographers are invited to contact Blanton about shooting sessions and hourly rates at this beautiful local spot.
The Farmhouse Fields is located at 282 Puckett Road (entrance off Hwy 96) in Murfreesboro. Hours are Tues-Friday, from 3 p.m. until dark; Saturday 10 a.m. until dark; Sunday 1 p.m. until dark until the end of the month. Price list includes the grass maze ($5), pumpkin painting ($5), punkin chunkin' ($3), and hay rides Fri-Sat ($6). Other listed events are free. Follow The Farmhouse Fields on Facebook or call 615-403-8684 for event updates.
Laura Beth Payne is a writer mama of two living in Murfreesboro with her husband Nathan. Follow @murfreesboromama on Facebook and Instagram for more family fun in and around the city. Be sure to enter the holiday giveaway happening this week!
