Rader Family Farms 2023 Event Calendar -
Education Day at The Corn Crib-
Tuesday, May 2nd - Gates Open at 10am. Teachers and students are invited to have "bushels" of fun with us at the Corn Crib. The Heartland Hawks baseball game will serve as the site for a day filled with fun.
FREE admission for teachers, staff, chaperones and bus drivers. $6.00 - General Admission. $9.00 General Admission with bagged lunch. (*bagged lunch will be served from the Corn Crib concession stand and includes a hot dog, water, chips and a snack)
For additional information click on the link -> Education Day at the Corn Crib
Baby Animal Days at Rader Family Farms -
Join us for the 4th Annual event where cuddles are included - Saturday, June 10th and Saturday June 17th, 2023 -- $12 per person (Ages 5 years+) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests 4yrs and under are FREE.
Purchase Your Online Tickets Here!
Purchase Tickets: TICKETS FOR BABY ANIMAL DAYS MAY BE PURCHASED AT OUR ADMISSIONS BUILDING ON THE DAY OF THE EVENTS - SEE YOU THERE!!
- Come see, pet and hold the babies at the farm!
- Baby goats - COME HOLD AND CUDDLE THEM!
- Baby calf, kittens, bunnies
- Hands-on baby chick experience
- Critter Cart rides for our l'il critters
- Hands-on activities
- Limited Farm Activities will be open including the Jumping Pillow, Double-Barrell Slide, Giant Bubbles and many more
- Limited food/drink will be available (no outside food and drink, please)
- McLean County Animal Control will have kittens available for adoption. Applications can be completed on-site and their fur-ever home pick-up will take place the following week.
Hudson Farmer's Market -- 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Every Thursday from June-September - Hudson Farmer's Market information
Professional Photographers
Rader Family Farms photographer times are available by appointment only for the golden hour sessions or a custom session by reserving your date and time on our sign up form.
This sign up is for professional photographers only.
Guests interested in professional photography sessions may direct their photographer to our sign up. The acres of sunflowers are bursting and beautiful!
Sunflower Days - August 12-13 and August 19-20
Come walk through more than 2 acres of brilliantly colored sunflowers during our 4th Annual Sunflower Days Festival at Rader Family Farms. You do not want to miss these special weekends. There will be a variety of sunflowers in different colors, shapes and sizes and a field of incredible zinnias, too. Bloom where you are planted!
PRE-ORDER YOUR SUNFLOWER DAYS TICKETS HERE!
Tickets are also available at each day of the event.
Saturday, August 12th and Sunday, Aug. 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 19 and Sunday, Aug. 20. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
0 - 4 years old - FREE ADMISSION
5yrs - 14yrs - $5/guest
15yrs and above - $10/guest
- U-Pick Buckets of Blooms (up to 10 stems) available at $25
- $2 for each Additional Stem
- Tram Rides
- Critter Cart Rides
- Grilled Food and Sweet Treats offered by Rader Family Farms
- Zoo Lady ($)
- Music
- Sunflower craft provided by the University of Illinois Extension Program (while Supplies Last)
- Lots of Photo Opportunities
- Harvest Brew Coffee Shop & Bakery
- Pumpkin Blossom Retail Market - Shop Local!
The Farmstead Fair :: pop-up market @ Rader Family Farms
Saturday, August 26th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, August 27th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More than 80 vendors will be poppin up at Rader Family Farms. There will be hand-selected makers, artisans, boutiques, and antiquers as they display their amazing goods. Admission wristbands are $5 at the gate payable to The Farmstead Fair. Activities at Rader Family Farms will not be open during this special event. Opening Day is just around the corner and we look forward to seeing you on September 9th!
All guests will have a last chance to access to the sunflower field with paid admission to the Farmstead Fair. Buckets of blooms and U-pick ($) sunflowers and zinnia's will be available while supplies last.
2023 INFORMATION FOR THE FARMSTEAD FAIR
Purchase Your Individual Season Pass!
GET YOUR 2023 SEASON PASSES HERE!
Exclusive Season Passholder Night -- "Eat, Stay & Play"
Friday, Sept. 9, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Early Bird Season Passes will be available for purchase. Our special evening is our way to say thank you for your loyalty and to kick off the start of our 15th season. For more information on season passes, send a note to events@raderfamilyfarms.com
2023 Opening Day - Sponsored by RIVIAN (and Patch's 5-year Birthday Celebration) is Sept. 9th!
Rivian, the American electric automaker will have one of its vehicles at the farm for viewing.
- Fun on the farm activities
- Bypass the lines with online tickets
- Birthday candy parade
- Saturday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
National Grandparents Day - Sponsored by RIVIAN
Sunday, September 10th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Today we celebrate and honor all grandparents. Share a special day and create new memories. Grandparents get free admission with each paid admission to the farm. Receive an honorary sticker and complimentary homemade pumpkin donut.
Rivian, the American electric automaker will have one of its vehicles at the farm for viewing.
Magnificient Mum Sale
Come out to see what's blooming in colors and sizes. Most magnificent home-grown mums featuring multi-colors. Saturday and Sunday September 16 - 17, 2023, while supplies last. 1 for $12 (Regular Price) or 2 for $20.(Weekend Sale Price) (Regular Size) Large Mums are $30.
National Alzheimer's Awareness Day
Thursday, September, 21st - On this day Rader Family Farms and the world concentrates its efforts on creating awareness of Alzheimer's disease. The disease is among the most prevalent forms of dimentia; a set of disorders that disrupt mental function. World Alzheimer's Day is the perfect opportunity for us to raise our voices and contribute toward an effort of finding new ways of fighting the disease.
Rader Family Farms will be donating toward this worthy effort from Thursday, September 21st - Sunday, September 24th. Please consider making a contribution at each of our sales counters throughout the farm.
3rd Annual Make-A-Wish For the Kids
Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 1 pm - 5 pm. The farm will be open this day from 10 am - 6 pm.
Flashlight 10-Acre Night Maze - PLEASE NOTE THE FARM WILL CLOSE AT 6PM TODAY WITH LAST ENTRANCE TO THE MAZE AT 5PM TO GET READY FOR OUR GUESTS AT THE NIGHT MAZE.
Saturday, Sept. 16, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 14, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Additional Night Corn Maze details and pricing
Ropp Road Roundup
October 1, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Join us for a day full of our awesome activities as well as vendors and exhibitors.
Columbus Day - Monday, Oct. 9
Enjoy the farm from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $19.95/person for ages 5 yrs - 64 yrs. 4 yrs and under are free.
Join us with your family, friends or all the kids off of school. Season passes apply for Admission.
Orange Crush and Last Day of the Fall Season
Sunday, October 29th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - THE FARM ACTIVITIES AND ALL FOOD AND RETAIL VENUE'S WILL CLOSE AT 4:30 P.M. FOR THE ORANGE CRUSH EVENT AT THE FARM.
Family friendly trick-or-treating will be going on around the farm from 1pm-4pm. Bring your own bag and come in a family friendly costume.
Wheels of Freedom Monster Truck will be on-site for our last day of the season. Wheels of Freedom Monster Truck will be available for ride-a-longs for an additional fee payable directly to Wheels of Freedom. This is one you do not want to miss!
Help us compost our "misfit pumpkins" and enjoy smashing pumpkins starting at 4pm. Stick around for the massive pumpkin drop from a crane. The winning team will enjoy an orange crush drink!
Please review our Farm Safety Guidelines