Goebbert's Farm Pingree Grove — Local services in Rutland Township

A small, humble beginnings farm is not so humble any more.

I've been going to Goebberts farm for over 5 years, every year for the fall festivities and recently the Christmas thing they do.

I went to the farm on Sunday 10/20. It was packed, to a concerning point (exceeding a safe number in my opinion). Not enough room to walk, not enough employees to control the masses. I would estimate there was around 5000 people at the farm that day. They charge 25 dollars a person, and they don't offer discounts for children unless they are under 2 yr old. Mind you we are walking around a dusty farm in the middle of a corn field in Illinois. Not disney, not a theme park, nothing fancy (and no offense, I love the dust and hay, but stay in your lane). I would expect to pay 10 dollars a person for this experience, not worth more than that. The lines were extremely long to get food, drinks, and rides. Everyone I did speak to who was working the food/water/beer stands seemed to be hating thier lives, they were obviously overwhelmed. I waited for 30 min to get a water at the pumpkin pub only to find out they were out of water. No signs. I went to 3 other stands and they were also out of water. My daughter was hot and wanted ice for her drink; I couldn't buy a cup of ice anywhere I asked. The water I did find was 4.40 a bottle. The hot dog I bought my daughter was 7.70. I'm from Florida, where we fine businesses for price gouging. You can buy a case of water and 2 packs of hot dogs for that price. Shame on them.

I sincerely hope the owner/management of Goebbert's farm will see this review and take time to seriously consider the values they wish to express on thier property. Do we want to pack in as many people as possible and charge a comparatively unreasonable price for everything (maximizing profits)? Or should you charge a reasonable price, and perhaps consider selling daily tickets to the event to manage crowd size? This would alleviate the long lines and running out of product... food for thought. I'd probably look into some of the smaller local farms if you want a similar,...

My wife, daughter, and I came here for the first time ever this weekend, for the light show. I'm giving it a solid three star review. We showed up right at 5:00 and still had to wait because people in line were not aware that you could/should buy your tickets online. I received an email from the owner today stating that at all weekend light shows, they'll REQUIRE that everyone pre orders/pays for tickets online, which is awesome.

The light show was "meh". It had some cool catchy parts with the music, but overall, not worth the $20 for the short drive through. I'm giving it three stars and not one or two because I don't really know how much longer you could make it without losing the attention of your prime demographic - children. My daughter enjoyed it, so there's that to go off of.

The only reason I'm not giving this a four star review or even a five (because I'm a nice guy) is because of their lack of COVID 19 protocol. Because we're at the peak of a GLOBAL PANDEMIC, there's literally zero tolerance for anything other than being top notch, especially an attraction that draws in so many people. One of the two ticket booths had two people working inside and did not even have masks on. The fact that these people need to greet you and scan your QR code on your phone (or handle your payment) and didn't have masks on is absolutely insane. To the owner: you need to REQUIRE that ALL staff wear masks while on the property at these times... come on... I think that the guys directing traffic should even be made to wear masks - one reason being that they get people who are lost asking where to go/what to do AND they need to be role models to people and the children that come through the business. I'm sorry - but not STRICTLY enforcing this is absolutely unacceptable and...

If I could leave “0” stars, that is what Goebbert’s deserves for exploiting exotic animals as an attraction for financial gain. This is UNACCEPTABLE. It’s time people vote with their dollars and visit other nearby local farms that have better business practices and do not contribute to this form of animal abuse and neglect. SHAME ON GOEBBERT’S. It’s time to change the way you offer a family experience on your farm instead of leaving them horrified and saddened. Myself & other spectators immediately noticed the red oozing open wound on the zebra and were very concerned and shook up by it. I found the first person I could who said he worked there and questioned if he was aware of the laceration. He instantly said, "The owner is aware.”… responding like it was no big deal. I asked him if a vet had examined it and he said no, and asked who I was and who sent me. This is full thickness, near the eye, still actively bleeding. It needs veterinary medical treatment. I asked when it happened, he said “a couple days ago". This animal is clearly being neglected. Full thickness wounds should be addressed properly on day 1 by a licensed veterinarian in an environment where paying customers are viewing this poor creature. There was NO note, letter, wordage, statement, or representative there letting the public know this animal's wound is not being ignored & is being properly cared for. Again the senior gentleman working that I spoke with seemed unconcerned and didn't appear to take anything I said seriously. These animals are being FAILED by humans and Goebbert’s should be held accountable. Will never visit a...