by Sarah DeMaranville
Geneseo Current
For more than a century, farming has been a family tradition at Haars Farms. On Oct. 17, the Haars family will once again invite the community onto the farm to experience a little of that tradition firsthand.
The third annual Farm Fest will be held Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Haars Farms, 8631 US Hwy 6, Geneseo. The event is free and will feature combine rides, food, bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, a corn pit, tractor pulls, sweet treats, goodie bags, and more.
Haars Farms was established in 1917 and is now in its third generation. Randy Haars and his son, Kolby Haars, farm corn and soybeans together. Nearly 3-year-old Sutton Haars is already following along and helping where he can, representing what the family hopes will be the farm's next generation.
The idea for Farm Fest came from another farm in Iowa that offered free combine rides to anyone who stopped.
"We heard about a farm giving free combine rides in Iowa," the family said. "They would place a sign out by the roadside, and any who wanted to stop could for a free ride. It inspired us to try for ourselves."
The Haars family added a few more "bells and whistles," eventually turning the idea into Farm Fest.
Keeping the event free has been an important part of the concept from the beginning. The family knows firsthand how memorable harvest can be, particularly for children, and wanted to make that experience available to people who might otherwise never have an opportunity to see farming up close.
"We want this to remain free to the public to make it as accessible as possible," the family said. "We know the very special experiences shared at harvest, especially with our kids, and wanted to share it with the community and surrounding areas."
Combine rides remain the star
The combine rides have become Farm Fest's signature attraction.
Rather than having visitors spend their day standing in a long line, Haars Farms is introducing a new system this year. Guests who want a combine ride will receive a colored wristband when they arrive. When their color is called, they will board a hayrack for the trip to the field, where they'll take turns riding in a combine for passes through the field.
There is no age restriction for the rides.
The new system will allow visitors to enjoy the other Farm Fest activities while waiting for their turn.
Last year's event attracted approximately 600 people, and the family said the response to the combine rides continued well after the event ended.
"We have people tag us on Facebook and send us letters in the mail about how cool the experience is," they said.
One visitor particularly stood out: a retired John Deere employee who told the family that despite working for Deere for many years, Farm Fest gave him his first opportunity to actually ride in a combine.
This year, the Haars family hopes attendance could reach 1,000.
New additions for the third year
Farm Fest is expanding again in 2026.
Ponies will be available for visitors to feed, brush, and pet. Geneseo FFA and the Farm Bureau will also participate, offering educational and informational stations designed to give visitors another opportunity to learn about agriculture.
Returning attractions include bounce houses, the corn pit, petting zoo, face painting, tractor pulls, and goodie bags.
Food is also included at no charge. Hot dogs, chips, and water will be available, and Sweet Butts Cotton Candy will provide each visitor with one free sweet treat from its available menu.
The family says visitors don't need to bring much.
"It is free, so you only have to bring yourselves and maybe a sweatshirt if it's chilly," they said.
Farm Fest will continue even if significant rain arrives. Wet conditions could eliminate the combine rides and other outdoor activities, but the family plans to move as many activities as possible indoors and continue the event.
For the Haars family, Farm Fest ultimately isn't just about giving people something to do on an October Saturday. It's a chance to bring people onto a working family farm and share an experience that has been part of their own lives for generations.
"Farm Fest is for everyone," the family said, "but we were especially thinking of those who would never be able to experience it other than an event like this."