Jodi and Don Brauen unveil their 2011 decorative gourds during weekend open house
It's September. That means Jodi and Don Brauen are gearing up for their annual gourd open house.
This year's event will feature between 200 to 300 ornamental gourds of fall and winter designs - they have 1,000 total gourds this year.
Open house hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 at their home, 7140 Tom Fett Road.
Inspired by a friend who grew gourds, the Brauens began with a small patch eight years ago. Since then that patch has grown to cover three acres, producing up to 8,000 gourds a year. Among the varieties customers traditionally see include kettles, martins, bushels, penguins, apples and canteens.
Don, who calls the gourd project a "true craft," says that customers will see lots of new designs in this year's open house.
Click here to see a selection of photos that The Icon featured in 2010 on the Brauen's gourds.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, June 27, 2025
- Foundation launches Rooted to Rise initiative
- Eight vehicle injury crash IR 75 in Hancock County
- Bluffton Mayor commends Safety Services on June 26 injury accident response
- What's in your weekend?, June 27-28-29
- Go wolfhound to Bluffton
- Letter: Ask for veto of HB 96 library provision
- ODNR Offering Hunter Education Instructor Classes
Thursday, June 26, 2025
- Bluffton safety services respond to multi-vehicle accidents on I-75
- Travel opportunities update from Bluffton Senior Center
- Send July 2025 Community Calendar items to the Icon
- National Night Out is August 5, planning is in final stages
- Bluffton Senior Center activities schedule for July 2025
- Does your business have summer hours? Post them on the Icon
- Bluffton, Ohio ranks 4th in Ohio for bike network quality
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Monday, June 23, 2025
- Anna Marie Beagle taught at Allen East Elementary
- Noteworthy dress rehearsal and concert with potluck in Ada, June 23 and 29
- First Bluffton Art Walk provides a welcome outing on a rainy day
- Hardin County Commissioners send letter objecting to HB 335
- Duckie Cosplay underway at Bluffton Public Library
- Upcoming BPL events, June 23-28