Waterman’s Family Farm Expands Indianapolis Fall Festival
The historic 50-acre farm is hosting its multi-week autumn event for local visitors.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Fairs and Festivals
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Waterman's Family Farm has expanded its annual fall festival, which features a variety of seasonal attractions. The event is currently underway, building on previous years of growth in the local agritourism sector.
Why it matters
The farm's descendants are shifting focus toward agritourism as a primary income stream for the business. This strategy aims to maintain the land's utility while providing seasonal entertainment to the community.
The farm encompasses 50 acres and has operated its public-facing endeavors for 50 years. The fall festival lasts five weeks and follows a 2025 season that saw 15,000 ticketed attendees.
The players
Waterman's Family Farm
An Indianapolis-based agricultural business that has served the community for decades and now emphasizes agritourism.
Bruce Waterman
A founder of the family farm who established the operation in 1978.
The details
The expanded festival now includes a variety of new attractions, such as amusement rides and corn mazes, alongside the farm's traditional you-pick produce offerings like strawberries, tomatoes, and corn. While Bruce Waterman passed away several years ago, the descendants of the founders continue to operate the business on the property located at 7010 E. Raymond St.
Timeline
1976: Bruce and Carol Waterman started the farm.
1978: Waterman's Family Farm was formally founded.
2025: The festival hosted 15,000 ticketed attendees.
October 2026: The expanded fall festival is currently underway.
Industry Dynamics
Waterman's Family Farm aligns with the national rise in agritourism as a diversification strategy for small farms. By leaning into seasonal event hosting, the business moves beyond traditional production to capture new revenue in the experiential entertainment market.
Visitors to the southeast side of Indianapolis can access the farm's new rides and seasonal activities throughout the five-week event duration. The farm remains open for those seeking to participate in traditional you-pick produce experiences.
The takeaway
Small-scale agricultural operations are increasingly finding stability by converting traditional farmland into multi-week seasonal event spaces. Residents should verify specific festival hours online before visiting to ensure the farm is currently hosting public activities.
Further reading
Explore more local seasonal activities on our Fairs and Festivals page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Indianapolis Business Journal.
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