Roth Family Farmstead turns 75

NORWALK — The Roth Family Farmstead will celebrate 75 years this fall with two weekends of food, music and family traditions. Paul and Verna Riley bought the farm — located at 1753 Brown Road, between Monroeville and Norwalk — in 1950, and it has remained in the family ever since. Pumpkins became a cornerstone crop in 1989, when Jean Roth and her father planted their first patch. "We have 36 years into selling pumpkins here in the stand, and we also grow soybeans and sweet corn," Roth said. "My dad and I started with 10 acres and I think we are going to stay with 10 acres." The farm also raises strawberries in its greenhouse, providing fresh berries late into the year. "We pick them every day until November," Roth said. Two weekends of events The celebration kicks off this Saturday with a professional carving of a 700-pound pumpkin from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: • Baked goods from The Farmer's Wife will be available during the same hours. • Red Beard BBQ will serve meals from noon to 5 p.m., followed by live music from Matt Missy and Company from 4-7 p.m. On Sunday, the farm will host a customer appreciation event: • The first 100 customers who make a purchase will receive sliders, chips and water — with the beef for the sliders raised on the property. The second weekend includes Lindenberger BBQ and Dawn's Delight dessert truck on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 1-5 p.m., plus live music by Lightening Lincoln from 4-7 p.m. A stained glass vendor will also be on hand. On Sunday, Oct. 5, The Pink Loaf Company will offer sourdough bread and other baked goods from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.