Without even setting foot inside the shop at Farmer’s Field, visitors at this year’s Harvest Gathering slipped back in time as if the carts and wagons arranged out front just whisked them back to the 1800s.

Pumpkins and gourds of all shapes and sizes doubled the charm with more to come as soon as they crossed the threshold at the annual two day event.

“I always say this place is like Little House on the Prairie,” shopkeeper Julann Billig said with a smile. “Our early primitive antiques mostly date back to the 1800s, [including] a few European pieces as well.”

Two hours before the scheduled start of the Harvest Gathering, Billig was arranging a treat table to further welcome her customers.

“We get a lot of local people stopping in [as well as] people from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut,” she said. “We see a lot of repeat customers.”

Travel to New Tripoli is apparently worth the trip.

“I’ve been coming here every Friday for the last five years,” said Edie VanWhy, who had just purchased a hundred dollars’ worth of pumpkins.

“I love sitting on my back porch and looking at the buggies and carts,” she added. “Inside my house, when you turn the lights down, the primitives look just beautiful.”

She isn’t alone.

“I come here all the time,” Lori Ruch said. “It’s just like stepping back in time. There are not many places that have the real good old primitive things that are so unique. [Farmer’s Field] helped me redo my house.”

The shop has been at the juncture of Routes 309 and 143 for some 17 or 18 years.

“My mother sold primitives for decades and when my father passed away, my husband purchased this building,” Billig explained. “My mother is my inspiration.”

“My husband’s family is originally from this area,” she continued. “His grandfather had a big potato farm around here.”

Farmer’s Field sponsors three events each year, in the spring, fall and winter.

The next event is scheduled for Black Friday Weekend.

“Bo Koltnow from WFMZ always comes in for that one,” Billig said. “He comes in with his family and always buys a Christmas tree scented candle.”