Other attractions at the farm include a hayride, pumpkin patch, pumpkin cannon and trebuchet and petting zoo.  In addition to the gallery we did capture video of the trebuchet in action.

[View with PicLens]

The Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch are open from September through October.  More information can be found at the Vesperman Farms website.

The event is always held during the last full weekend in September in Gays Mills with much of the festivities happening along Main Street and at Riverside Park. Some of the regular highlights include the flea market, carnival, and garage sales throughout the town both days. Saturday features a run/walk, while the Apple Festival Parade steps off at 1:30pm Sunday.

More than a thousand acres in the Gays Mills area produce apples that are well-known for their flavor and color. Farmers credit the land on both sides of the Kickapoo River that provided prime conditions for growing apples.

Many of the individual orchards have their own festivities planned during Apple Fest weekend.

Image from Gaysmills.org

PdCToday.com plans on getting video of this year’s event.

One of the night’s highlights is the Luminaria Ceremony. As the sun sets over campsites and darkness falls, the night is brightened by the glow of illuminated bags called luminaria, each of which has a special meaning. Some celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and have lived to tell their stories. Many remember the lives of those who have been lost to this disease. All represent someone special who has been profoundly affected by cancer and the family and friends who continue to fight back in their honor.

Rachel Smith has been involved with Prairie du Chien’s Relay for Life for seven years. This is the first year she is a chairperson for the event. “I started out just as a walking member. Then became a team captain for 5 years,” says Smith.

Smith, like most people, has her own experience with cancer in her family. “I relay because my grandma passed away from breast cancer in 1985,” she says, “Back then, they didn’t have the research to treat breast cancer. A large portion of the money raised [at the Relay] goes towards research.”

Last year’s Relay for Life in Prairie du Chien raised $61,803. Organizers believe this year’s event can do better. “I’m excited because we have seven new teams this year,” says Smith. In addition, coordinators are bringing breakfast Saturday morning. There will also be many games and theme laps throughout the night.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people take turns walking or running around a track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event.