They’ve been growing in the pumpkin patch all summer long. Now, these big, bright, orange globes are ready to be taken from the field, and carefully placed on a pedestal of honor upon your front porch. Autumn has arrived. Sultry, summer heat and humidity have given way to crisp, clear air. Out in your garden or at the pumpkin farm, there are countless, big, bright orange pumpkins just waiting for you!
No matter what your age, there’s something very special about an Autumn visit to a pumpkin farm, or farm market. Searching for the perfect pumpkin isn’t fun and exciting at your local grocery store. This kind of excitement can only be found with a visit to a pumpkin patch. Additionally, it’s family time on a relaxing outing out in the country.
People think they are going to a pumpkin patch in search of pumpkins. What they are really seeking, is a good time, and a memorable experience. Farms and merchants know this. So, they add all sorts of fun things for you to do during your visit.
Pumpkin Farms morph into a fall playground. Festivals abound, often featuring giant pumpkin weigh offs, where behemoths weighing up to a ton or more are on display.
The pumpkins farms and festivals also have many other activities, including:
Corn Maze: Corn mazes are great places to get lost for a while. They are amazingly popular with young kids, teens and even young adults. Farmers charge a fee for people to “get lost” in the corn maze.
Arts and Craft Shows – Local artisans show off their wares.
Hayrides: People of all ages love to hayrides. A hayride through a field of the pumpkins or through the countryside usually costs just a small fee. If the pumpkin patch is away from parking, the hayride to and from is often free. Many farms create a haunted hayride, and offer them after dark. Haunted hayrides are extremely popular as Halloween nears.
Ghost House – Eerie and spooky displays, the scarier the better.
Pumpkin Picking – It’s a fun fall ritual for many.
Apple Picking – Apples and fall go hand in hand.
Tip: When going out to a pumpkin patch or farm market, don’t forget to bring the camera.
Before you go, check out these two pages:
Pumpkin Picking Tips – How to pick the perfect pumpkin. Review this page before you go out to the pumpkin patch.
Anatomy of a pumpkin – Can you name each part?
Pumpkin Lore: In the cartoon show, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”, Linus believes that the “Great Pumpkin” will visit his Halloween pumpkin patch, as long as it is sincere. He forgoes Trick or Treating, to shiver in his pumpkin patch, awaiting the Great Pumpkin, who will bring toys and other gifts.
Question: What was Linus’ last name?
Answer: VanPelt
Origin and History of Halloween – the roots of Halloween date back centuries, back to Celtic holiday of All Hollow’s Eve.
Pumpkin Nook’s Halloween Central– From how to carve pumpkins to pumpkins facts, myth and lore.
Halloween Party Recipes – For pumpkin carving parties, Halloween parties and the big night.
Party Games – for fun, fun, fun
More on Pumpkin Carving – The “how to” along with pumpkin carving tools and kits.
Pumpkin Picking Tips – How to pick the perfect pumpkin- – in the patch, at the roadside stand, or at the store.
TGN’s Pumpkin and Garden Recipes
Holiday Recipes – recipes aplenty for your favorite holidays
