Masuk Free Press

Benedict’s Home and Garden is a family owned business that has been serving Monroe and neighboring towns for over fifty years. Along with selling plants and farming supplies, Benedict’s hosts community events. One such event, their weekly Fall Fun activities, began thirty years ago. What started out as a simple hay maze has evolved into fun filled autumn weekends with a variety of attractions.

Manager Megan Kenney explained, “Our fall fun activities started with just the hay maze. It wasn’t always as extensive as it is now. The corn maze was added 16 years ago and we hope to keep adding new activities and events as time goes on.”

Upon entering the Benedict’s nursery, you are greeted by a large pile of pumpkins, a display of mums and, if you are lucky, the cats that roam the farm. As you venture into the farm and follow the path lined with “Fall Fun” signs, you will find the chicken coop at the top of the hill along with the corn and hay mazes, corn pit, hayride, nature trail and concession stand. 

Kenney said, “I would say the corn pit and hayride are definitely favorites.

 Though Fall Fun is highly popular among families with young children, there are lots of activities for older kids to enjoy as well. The older kids that come almost always feed the ducks we have. It’s pretty hard to have a bad time with ducks eating out of your hand.”

Masuk student and Benedict’s employee Haley Ferris stated, “We get a lot of young kids but a good amount of teenagers and adults as well. The nature walk, corn maze, hayride and game tables are all really fun for anyone no matter their age.”

One of the newest additions to Fall Fun is their partnership with Ferris Acres Creamery. At the hilltop farmstand, you can enjoy locally made ice cream as well as other treats like apple cider donuts, kettle corn, drinks and candy. Before leaving the farm, make sure to pass through the nursery. You can pick up one of their pumpkins, which are perfect for carving, or some Autumn decorations to embrace the season. 

Considering these activities are all enjoyed outside, bad weather such as heavy rain can pose an obstacle for the Fall Fun weekends. However, Benedict’s does their best to postpone any events so that everyone has the chance to enjoy all the activities. 

When the season eventually comes to an end, excess crops remain left over, but there is never any waste at Benedict’s. 

Kenney commented,“We don’t want anything that we have leftover to go to waste so almost all things are put on sale or donated. We donate to different charities and churches for their events or fundraisers, even to some schools for decorations for their plays. Also, nearly all the animals we keep love to eat the pumpkins, especially the goats!” 

Make sure to stop by Fall Fun before the end of the season for a super nostalgic activity to get into the spirit with your family, friends or loved ones!