Festivals, farm tours, pumpkins, watermelons and a corn maze provide family entertainment at Beggs Family Farm, an agritourism business located in Sikeston, Mo. The Beggs family tries to offer something for everyone from the Strawberryfest in May to school tours during open seasons.

Beggs Family Farm’s heritage goes back 109 years to 1895 when William Arthur Beggs first planted watermelons in Blodgett, Mo. Known as the “Watermelon Capital of the World” at the turn of the century, Blodgett sent melons to consumers across the United States and Beggs Farm earned a reputation as one of the area’s largest producers.

During harvest seasons early in the century, farmers transferred melons from their wagons to mile-long freight trains headed for northern markets. The next generation of Beggs hauled melons by truck to markets from St. Louis, Mo to Red Bud, Illinois. By the mid-fifties, the marketing of melons changed and brokers bought the melons and did the hauling for farmers.

Today, fourth-generation Donnie Beggs, with his wife Sheila, manage the family-owned operation, including more than 200 acres of melons they sell both wholesale and retail. The farm includes a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, hayrides, pick-your-own strawberry patch, pick-your-own Easter egg patch, a small petting zoo of farm animals as well as hands-on education about farming for groups of school children and the public.

“We enjoy having families visit the farm,” said Donnie Beggs. “Young and old, their eyes light up at the experience.”

Every fall Beggs’ opens with a newly themed 12 acre corn maze. The farm includes a maze known as Miner Max which exits at a real working gem stoning sluice where you can take home your own bag of gems. A glow in the dark nine-hole miniature golf course is located in one of the barns. Beggs’ Family Farm expanded in 2005 to allow for more fun on the farm by including Springfest and Strawberryfest.

For more information on Beggs Family Farm, visit their Web site at www.beggsfamilyfarm.com or call 573-741-3879.