c/o Anabel Goode
Long Lane Farm hosted the annual Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, Oct. 26 to celebrate the fall season and highlight sustainability efforts on campus. This event was a part of a series of events hosted over the weekend, beginning with Fall Fest on Andrus Field on Friday, Oct. 25.
Long Lane Farm is a collectively-run organic farm cultivated and operated by University students and the Bailey College of the Environment. The farm is approximately a one-mile walk from the center of campus and students could walk, drive, or take the complimentary shuttle leaving from Usdan to get to Pumpkin Fest.
During Pumpkin Fest, free hot cider and veggie burgers were served by students alongside performances from University student and faculty bands such as Five for Free, Tickle Monster, and Top Down.
“It was really great to participate in such a wonderful community event and to be back playing music on campus,” Oliver Buten ’27, who played for Tickle Monster, said.
Local businesses sold goods such as jewelry, second-hand clothing, and knitwear at the festival. Students and Middletown residents had the opportunity to face-paint, make pumpkin-related crafts, participate in tarot card readings, and enjoy other activities at the farm.
“I think it is the obligation of any organization that they engage with the people living around them, and [Long Lane Farm] is no exception,” event organizer and Sustainability Strategic Plan Ambassador Isaac Moss ’25 wrote in a message to The Argus. “Pumpkinfest is our way of giving back to the community, and I think that’s why it is such a loved event.”
Student clubs also had tables to sell merchandise and interact with members of the Wesleyan and Middletown community.
“Tabling at Pumpkin Fest was a blast,” Outing Club leader Chloe Andersen ’26 said. “It was awesome to see new faces and to sell [stickers, postcards, and outdoor gear] to people.”
Multiple departments and clubs worked together to organize this year’s festivities, including the Office of Student Involvement, the Sustainability Office, Physical Plant, Bon Appétit, and Sound Co-op. Event organizers noted that the festival was larger this year than last year.
“This year’s PumpkinFest was bigger, with more vendors, more people, and better weather–each year we aim to make the festival bigger and better, so this year we started advertising much earlier and in broader swaths,” Moss wrote.
Student farmers worked at High Hill Orchard in Meriden to pick apples in exchange for pumpkins, which were used for crafting and decor at the festival. Produce from High Hill was also provided to event attendees.
“Engaging with the community is always important and rewarding,” Long Lane Farm Manager and Sustainability Strategic Plan Ambassador Michael Minars ’25 wrote in a message to The Argus. “Long Lane Farm provides such a special medium to engage with the people over one of the most critical components of our social and cultural lives–food. Through our weekly farmers market in town, weekly workdays, collaborations with community organizations, and events like Pumpkin Fest the farm is able to build long lasting friendships and mutual learning experiences with Middletown residents.”
Event organizers were proud of the festival’s turnout and community engagement.
“It is so awesome to see how live music, locally sourced food, and small business can bring everyone together,” Minars wrote. “When someone hears the music or sees a vendor that they like and you see the smile come across their face–this is when you know what all the planning was for.”
Those interested in future collaborations with Long Lane or with interest in attending a Saturday workday should reach out to Minars at weslonglanefarm@gmail.com.
Anabel Goode can be reached at agoode@wesleyan.edu.
Kiran Eastman can be reached at kbleakneyeas@wesleyan.edu.