MAPLE PARK – Years ago, when Wade and Kim Kuiper’s children were 6 years old and younger, they envisioned opening a farm where kids could run around and have a safe space to climb when they first opened their 71-acre pumpkin patch in 1998.

Twenty years later, the Kuipers bought a 230-acre farm that now has train rides, visits from “the real Santa,” an apple orchard, a pumpkin farm, apple cider donuts, homemade wine and hard cider, a petting zoo and a corn maze.

“That was our inspiration,” Kuiper said. “Our own kids.”

Wade Kuiper said the milestone anniversary sneaked up on them this year. Once the realization dawned on them, he said, he and Kim knew they had to do something to commemorate the occasion.

In celebration of the farm’s 20th anniversary and to honor the millions of customers that have come through the farm throughout the years, admission will be $20 Saturday and Sunday for the apple orchard and pumpkin farm combined, according to a news release. That’s $7 less than the usual combined admission.

Kuiper said attractions that are new to the farm this year include a rebuilt slide, pig races, a combine playground and a barnyard ball toss where patrons have to throw baseballs, footballs or basketballs through holes or hoops.

Kuiper said the stars are lining up perfectly for this weekend. He said he is anticipating having four to five different varieties of apples available this weekend and is looking forward to the forecasted beautiful weather.

“We’re really excited and hope that more families will come out and enjoy us,” Kuiper said.