Long Lane Farm Hosts 21st Annual Pumpkin Fest 

Hundreds of students and Middletown residents gathered at Long Lane Farm on Saturday, Oct. 10  to celebrate the 21st Annual Pumpkin Fest. The festival began in 2004, aiming to celebrate the fall season and the harvest produced by Long Lane Farm. The event was sponsored by the Bailey College of the Environment. 

“I think it’s a great community moment, and I like seeing everyone from Wesleyan, but also the Middletown community,” Harper Dresser ’30 said. 

It was the perfect day for the event, with clear skies and peak New England autumn foliage. The festival featured multiple vendors, student bands, food stalls, and seasonal activities, including pumpkin painting and decorating. 

“It’s for Wesleyan students, faculty, staff, and Middletown residents alike,” event organizer Arya Dansinghani ’28 said. “It’s vendors from around town and also student vendors. We had some faculty bands who live in Middletown, staff bands, and student bands. It’s great fun!”

The event also saw alumni like Kate Borows-Lai ’26 returning to the University specifically to attend the event.

“Pumpkin Fest is the most special thing on Wesleyan’s campus, and so it’s worth visiting,” Borows-Lai said.

Shuttles ran from Usdan to the farm every 15 minutes during the four-hour event, making it accessible for students to attend. Other students opted to make the 10-minute walk from the Freeman Athletic Center along Long Lane. 

Vendors for the event involved both Wesleyan-run organizations and local businesses, including Lucy’s Luncheonette, Back Again Board Game Cafe, and Reboot Eco Swap Studio, which sold baked goods, coffee, and environmentally-friendly house materials, respectively. Student vendors included independent student artists, Wesleyan Publishing House, and Clay Club, among several others. Other student organizations were there to spread awareness about their groups, like Sunrise Movement Wesleyan and the Wesleyan Reproductive Advocacy & Legislation club. 

“I purchased some bread, some flowers, and a magnet for our fridge, and I’m going to purchase some pottery from the Clay Club, and I’m so excited,” Anya Hart ’30 said.

The fest also included Long Lane Farm’s own stand, which sold produce from the farm. All proceeds from their stand benefited the Amazing Grace Free Community Market, Middletown, which serves approximately 1,250 families every month.

“I think the biggest part of Pumpkin Fest is not about fundraising, but it’s more about community engagement and awareness, making sure people get a sense for the farm and know that we exist because we’re a little ways off campus, so that can be hard,” said Wib Elsesser ’29, who was selling produce for the farm. 

Activities like painting pumpkins, flower pots, and faces attracted kids, students, and adults alike. Many attendees could be seen walking around the event with festive art like skeletons, pumpkins, and even dinosaurs on their faces.

Similar to years prior, the farm ran out of pumpkins at around 1:30 p.m., only an hour and a half into the event. 

While the number of pumpkins was limited, plenty of other activities kept attendees busy. A pie-eating contest conducted by Dansinghani drew a big crowd. Eight contestants were each confronted with an entire pumpkin pie, and the first person to finish the pie won the competition. Winner Ross Lee ’29 received a hand-decorated pumpkin to celebrate his accomplishment. 

An assortment of pies and veggie burgers with numerous toppings were available for attendees to assemble. Hot apple cider was also available. 

Student bands playing at the event included the Pine Street Pickers, the Autoshop, and montana&thescarf. 

There was a palpable energy of engagement, seen in support for the bands and small businesses, and a willingness to donate to support student organizations. 

“I’m honestly proud of all of it,” said Dansinghani, reflecting the sentiment. “The farm has never looked this clean, and I’m really proud of that. Everyone really pitches in, stays the whole time, helps out, and brings their families, which is wonderful.”

Anna Ibarguen can be reached at aibarguen@wesleyan.edu.

Sina Adam can be reached at sadam@wesleyan.edu.

Raiza Goel can be reached at rgoel@wesleyan.edu.