<p>Joey Thurman: I decided to paddle my way to Blackberry Farm in Aurora, Illinois, where they have fun for kids and adults of all ages. Let's check out the train. Maybe I'm going to feed a donkey. Hopefully, that would be okay. Oh, maybe I want to play with some clay.</p> <p>            I'm here at Blackberry Farm with Becky, the facility manager. Becky, this is a beautiful place. I appreciate what you've done with it. You brought all these flowers in for us.</p> <p>Becky Harling: Oh, of course. We got to make it look as best as it can look.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: Well, first of all, what is Blackberry Farm?</p> <p>Becky Harling: So Blackberry Farm is a historical village. It's a nice kind of mesh between amusement park and museums. We cover the 19th and 20th Century, so as you kind of go around the park, you'll see different interpreters that are in historical clothing. But then you'll also turn the corner and see a train. So it's a pretty cool park.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: Yeah, I love trains, because we were talking earlier that the adults, even ... When you see a train, it kind of brings out the kid in you.</p> <p>Becky Harling: Oh, yeah.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: So is that something that you notice when adults are walking around? And maybe you show up, and maybe I come here with my son. Or some other people are bringing their children, as well. Do you feel like they kind of get brought back into their childhood?</p> <p>Becky Harling: Yeah, so the adults love it just as much as the kids. We're actually celebrating our 52nd season, so a lot of the adults that are bringing their kids came here as kids, as well. So they like to dive right back in and be like, "Oh, this was here. This wasn't here." So they love being here with the kids, and who doesn't become a kid on a train?</p> <p>Joey Thurman: I don't know; I'm a kid all the time. So a train or a goat or a duck or hay ride. Whatever you got, right?</p> <p>Becky Harling: Yeah.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: Now, speaking of that, you're accessible to every single person. You're ADA-compliant, which you even have a wagon that's ADA-compliant?</p> <p>Becky Harling: Correct, yeah. So we have a wagon that's ADA-compliant. Our train has a ramp to help wheelchairs get on, as well. And then we have a paddle boat that's accessible, as well, and then not to mention all of our great paths that lead to all of our attractions, as well.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: And this is great, too. I mean, you walk around. You're outside, open air. And you have ... What did you say? 54 acres?</p> <p>Becky Harling: Yep, 54 acres.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: And look at that. I remember things.</p> <p>Becky Harling: Oh, yeah. Good job.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: I'm more than just a pretty face. What else can people expect when they come here?</p> <p>Becky Harling: I mean, you can experience all those things, but then you can also make it a whole-day experience. We have tons of rentable spaces. You can have your wedding here, your birthday party, family reunions, different things like that. You can even come on a field trip, including our historical sites. Meeting with those people. Our train, wagon, carousel, paddle boats, pony rides. There's so much. I can't list them all.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: Can I get on a pony?</p> <p>Becky Harling: Unfortunately, I think you're a little big.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: What are you trying to say?</p> <p>Becky Harling: I'm not trying to say anything.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: I think she's trying to say that I weigh too much for a pony. And so what are your hours? Are you open year-round? Obviously, summer is going to be a busy time.</p> <p>Becky Harling: Yeah, so our summer season runs from May 1st through September. Then we open up in October for our Pumpkin Weekends.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: Ooh, Pumpkin Weekend?</p> <p>Becky Harling: Oh, yeah. It's a blast.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: Really?</p> <p>Becky Harling: We totally decorate the park in fall-themed activities. You can even get a pumpkin and decorate it. And then we close in November, but that's all to get prepared for December, for Holiday Express.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: Holiday Express? What's that?</p> <p>Becky Harling: The park is fully decorated in lights, and we have different activities for all ages here.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: Okay. Well, I'm going to have to come back to that.</p> <p>Becky Harling: Oh, yeah.</p> <p>Joey Thurman: And that's it for Blackberry Farm. I've seen everything except for the train. See you later. Choo-choo.</p>