Fall in Full Swing at Prairie Fruits Farm
- Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery
- 17 hours ago
- 5 min read
October 21st, 2025
October has been flying by, and it finally feels like real fall! The fields surrounding our farm have been harvested, leaves are putting on their autumn show, and our crops are winding down as we prepare for winter. It's the perfect season for gathering, celebrating, and—of course—a little spooky fun.
Raclette Weekend: A Delicious Success
Last weekend brought cheesemaker Nik Basford from Leelanau Cheese Co. in Suttons Bay, Michigan, to the farm for two unforgettable events.
Saturday's Raclette Cheese Dinner was nothing short of amazing! Generous scrapes of melted raclette covered Chef Garron's beautifully prepared plates featuring duck sausage, braised short rib, and Kilgus Farmstead ham with baked apples. It was communal Alpine dining at its finest.
Sunday's Farm Fall Celebration started with overcast skies but turned into a gorgeous autumn day. We dressed our goats in costumes and paraded them through the farm—thank you to all the spontaneous volunteers who helped wrangle our costumed crew! Everyone (goats included) performed beautifully.
The day's biggest hit? Watching Nik scrape hot, melty raclette onto sandwiches with pickles and ham. The line barely slowed down until the very end of the day! Thank you to everyone who joined us for this celebration—your enthusiasm made it truly special.
This Weekend: Haunted Maze & S'mores
Ready for some spooky fun? We're transforming the farm into a haunted experience this Friday and Saturday nights!
When: Friday & Saturday, October 25-26, 6-10 PM
Choose Your Scare Level
Kid Scare (6-8 PM)Perfect for families! Spooky atmosphere without the nightmares. Our guides will lead you through the maze so no one gets lost.
Full Scare (8-10 PM)Not for the faint of heart! Intense scares in pitch-black darkness. You've been warned!
After the Maze
S'mores by the fire pit ($5 for kit - makes 2 s'mores)
Hot cider and hot chocolate (add a spike at our bar cart!)
Full bar service and warm dinner inside Caprae
Time to decompress and warm up with friends
Important Details
FREE admission (donations encouraged for our farm store Kickstarter)
No tickets needed - just show up
Dress WARM - October nights are chilly!
All ages welcome for Kid Scare | Full Scare recommended for teens/adults
See you under the stars (and screams)!
Kickstarter: Final 10 Days & New Reward!
We've just added something special for our final push: Baby Goat Snuggles for Every Backer! 🐐💚
Back our Kickstarter at ANY level—from our $50 t-shirt tier to the $2,500 name-a-goat option—and you're invited to an exclusive spring baby goat event in March 2026.
Picture this: Kidding season in full swing. Baby goats taking their first wobbly steps. And you get an invitation to snuggle them, take photos, and celebrate what we built together.
Already backed the campaign? You're automatically included. This is our thank you for believing in us early.
Can't travel to the farm? We'll send you a signed thank you card with a photo from our herd. You're still part of this story.
Why We're Doing This
We want you to see what you helped create—not just the building with its shelves, coolers, and tables, but the life inside it. The baby goats. The families learning. The community gathered around good food.
Where We Stand
56% funded
70 backers
10 days to go
We need to reach our $25,000 goal, and we need YOU to help us cross the finish line. Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to creating this community space.
From raclette celebrations to haunted mazes and costumed goats, fall at Prairie Fruits Farm is all about bringing our community together. Whether you're joining us for an event, supporting our Kickstarter, or simply following along, thank you for being part of our farm family.
Christina Asklund
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
Upcoming Events
Caprae Dining Room Closed
For a Private Dinner - Wednesday, October 22
Caprae is hosting a private dinner tomorrow night, and the dining room will be closed. Also, due to the high winds and chilly weather for tomorrow night, Merry Travelers will not be performing. The patio and pavilion seating will be open with our seasonal menu or small bites. The bar cart and Farm Store will also be open.
Goat Hikes
Goat Hikes are led by our seasoned volunteers and knowledgeable staff. We'll explore the Eastern portion of our farm along the pasture and pond with plenty of scenic stops for photos. There is also an opportunity for everyone's favorite part of the hike... the running of the goats!
Event Details:
Tuesday's at 5:30pm till end of October
Saturday's at 9am - (November will be based on weather)
Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL
Admission: Tickets can be purchased HERE
Weekly farm tours!
Join us every Friday at 3:00 PM for a behind-the-scenes tour of Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery—a working, regenerative dairy farm in the heart of the prairie.
Event Details:
- $10 per person
- 60-minute tour including cheese sampling
-Tours check in at the red barn
Tickets can be purchased here. Walk-ups are welcome based on space
Now accepting requests for private group tours throughout 2025-2026:
- $10 per person
- 60-minute tour including cheese sampling
- Groups of 10-25 people (larger groups by special request)
- Special rates for local K-12 schools and UIUC VetMed groups
Fill out our interest form here or email office@prairiefruitsfarm.com
Find Us at a Local Farmers' Market & Grocery
We are in the final week of the outdoor market season! Join us this weekend in Urbana, Bloomington and Springfield for our last Saturday - then we move inside for winter! Tuesday will be the last champaign market!
You can find us at the following Farmer Markets:
Every Tuesday till October
Downtown Champaign Plaza
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The market is every Saturday, May- October.
Grossinger Motors Arena
7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The market is every Saturday, May- October.
Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana
Saturdays 7:00 AM - 12 PM
Hours: Wednesdays and Saturday mornings, 7 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: 308 E Adams Street, Springfield (conveniently located near the Old Capitol Farmers Market)
Stop by as we develop this new space and bring the farm-to-table experience to the Springfield community!
Note: Our Bloomington hub currently operates as Martinelli's Market – Bloomington and will transition to the Salt Fork Food Works Food Hub name by year's end.
Find Our Cheese at These Retailers
Our award-winning cheeses are available at these fine retailers:
Martinelli's Market (Champaign)
Martinelli's Market (Bloomington)
Salt Fork Food Works Springfield Food Hub
Pekara Bakery and Bistro (Champaign)
Common Ground Food Coop (Urbana)
Harvest Market (Champaign)
Green Top Grocery (Bloomington)
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market (St Louis and Chicago Locations)
Prairie Food Co-op (Lombard, IL)
Rosewood Farms (Sugar Grove, IL)
Wild Onion Market (Chicago, serving the Rogers Park/West Ridge/Evanston and surrounding areas)
For wholesale inquiries, contact Christina at office@prairiefruitsfarm.com
Prairie Fruits Farm & Caprae Restaurant
Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a casual evening out, Caprae welcomes you with our blend of farm-to-table cuisine and warm hospitality. Our cozy dining room and friendly staff create the perfect atmosphere for any gathering.
Hours & Service
Tuesday-Friday: 4-9 PM Dinner
Saturday: 9 AM-4 PM Brunch
4 PM-9 PM Dinner
Sunday: 9 AM-2 PM Brunch
(Bar open until 4 PM) Farm open till 4 PM
Bar service includes craft drinks, cheese plates, and gelato
Seating Options
Indoor dining room Outdoor patio (weather permitting)
Reservations are appreciated but not required - book through Tock.
Follow us on social media for specials and updates!
*During all open hours, guests can explore our marked trails, visit the goats, and enjoy meals or beverages in our pavilion or on the lawns. Our staff is always happy to chat about our farm, goats, and cheese-making process.
*Please note: No outside food or pets are allowed. All activities are weather-permitting.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at farm life during the seasons.
