By Tiffany Giles
The Nehemiah Ranch Fall Harvest Festival is an opportunity for Hendricks County residents to share their family, fellowship and faith. The Fall Harvest Festival is held the first three Saturdays of October 6-10pm and is volunteer based. Local musicians, farmers, churches and families come together to donate time, talent and supplies to hosting this faith-based event.
Each Saturday evening includes live music, hayrides, campfire fun and food. Guests are invited to sing along with worship and praise music, toast s’mores over the open fire and enjoy the grounds via tractor-pulled hayrides. Hotdogs, bottled water and hot chocolate will also be available at no cost.
Last year the event drew over 2,000 people and was a huge success for Nehemiah Ranch and the community. Jeff Leath, owner and operator, explained the purpose of the ranch is to create an outreach ministry for families in the Hendricks County community. “We are creating a new way to do family, to unplug from the world and connect with God. This is a place to rest, recover and reconnect. It is a place to retreat and it being rustic allows people to enjoy God’s presence and creation.”
Located at 1420 N County Road 600 E, Nehemiah Ranch is 34 acres of farmland nestled in the heart of Avon. The ranch began as part of Leath’s vision to develop and grow his own faith. After many months of prayer and seeking counsel from local business people, Leath purchased the land eight years ago and has been building the ministry and property since.
Several churches throughout Hendricks County have come alongside Leath and sponsor ongoing development including the barn and pumpkin patch.
“We grow our own pumpkins and children attending the Fall Harvest are welcome to take one home. We tend to the pumpkins by hand, having volunteers weed the field and water. This year the patch was maintained by one middle school child. Last year we had so many guests, a local farmer allowed us to glean his field to have enough pumpkins to give guests. We gave out over 1,000 pumpkins. We appreciate our farmers and volunteers” said Leath.
If you are interested in volunteering for this event or another event at the ranch, Leath has opportunities for individuals and families to serve. Go to nehemiahranch.org and click on the Volunteers Needed button.
Admission to the Fall Harvest Festival is free, donations are accepted with a suggested donation of $20 per car. Parking is on site and will be directed by volunteer police officers. Guests are asked to register upon entering the grounds and obtain an event wristband.
Leath explained, “there are four tractors pulling hayrides and volunteers hard at work so wait times are not uncommon but this bit of waiting gives us an opportunity to share fellowship and build community. Relax and enjoy being outside and with other people.”
Nehemiah’s Ranch is an interdenominational facility welcoming guests from all faith backgrounds.