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🌾 Creating Calm in the Crowd: Our Sensory Space at The Windmill

  • Writer: WeBe Sensory
    WeBe Sensory
  • Jun 30, 2025
  • 2 min read

Tucked just south of Penn Yan on Route 14A, The Windmill Farm & Craft Market is a bustling seasonal hub—175+ vendors, fresh produce, handmade crafts, live music, and the warm spirit of community, all on 44 acres of Finger Lakes charm.

Each Saturday from spring through fall, families gather under the shade of tall trees, drawn by local crafts, Amish baked goods, wineries… and the joy of an inclusive gathering.

But amidst the fun, we recognized a need: crowds, noise, and stimulation can overwhelm many neurodivergent individuals. Emotionally rich environments can also be emotionally draining—especially for those with sensory sensitivities.


🌟 Why We Created a Sensory Space

At WeBe Sensory, we believe in making community spaces truly welcoming for every brain. That’s why our Sensory Space inside The Windmill offers:

  • A quiet retreat from the bustle—away from crowds, noise, and triggers

  • Hands-on tools to help regulate: noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, soft seating

  • A calm atmosphere for families to pause, recharge, and reconnect

  • An inclusive signal—a message that neurodivergent needs belong in community spaces, too

📍 You can find us in Building 4—right next to the flowers and produce. It’s cozy, quiet, and curated just for those who need a break from the buzz.


🏡 Support That Follows You Home

Not only do we provide an on-site calm-down space, we also offer a wide selection of sensory tools, fidgets, and calming supports to take home. Whether you're looking for:

  • Discreet stim tools

  • Weighted plushies

  • Visual timers

  • Chewelry

  • Sensory kits for kids or adults

We’ve got you covered with items chosen for real-world use—at school, at work, or in your living room.

Because regulation shouldn’t stop when you leave the market—it should follow you wherever you go.


🤝 Community, Comfort & Inclusion

By embedding a calm-down corner in a popular public venue, we're sending a powerful message:

  • Public spaces can be sensory-friendly

  • Families don’t need to skip the fun to stay safe

  • Inclusion isn’t an ideal—it’s an accessible reality

Our setup encourages caregivers to lean in, not step aside. And it helps neurodivergent individuals feel seen—not just managed.


🧩 A Perfect Match

The Windmill is more than a marketplace—it’s a community center in nature’s embrace. Whether you're browsing handmade pottery, tasting local preserves, or shopping for fall décor, there’s something magical in the air.

Adding a sensory space fits perfectly:


  • It enhances the family experience

  • It supports uninterrupted inclusion

  • It positions The Windmill as truly accessible and inclusive


💬 Final Thoughts

The Windmill Farm & Craft Market is already a Finger Lakes gem. By integrating a sensory space, we’re making it a destination for all families to enjoy—regardless of their sensory map.

So next time you visit, know this:


  • You’re welcome

  • You’re seen

  • You belong


Just come as you are—visit us in Building 4, pause in our Sensory Space, and browse sensory tools you can bring home to create more peace, comfort, and joy beyond the market.

Check out this link to see all of the wonderful, inclusive vendors that represent the Windmill Farm & Craft Market: https://www.thewindmill.com/


—The WeBe Sensory Team 💛

 
 
 

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