Hello Autumn
There’s something about Autumn that touches the soul of most people I know. Maybe it’s the magnificent reds, yellows, and oranges of the changing leaves. Maybe it’s that particular earthy smell, or the crunch of leaves. Or a heady walk on a clear starry night.
For me it’s all about the harvest. Roasted vegetables and comforting soups. Cider drinks and hot pies. A caramel apple…or two…
Mostly it’s about the pumpkins. When the vines are full, and those orange globes are ripe for picking it’s like an alarm goes off. It peals the start of celebration. And pumpkins play a central role in the fall celebration. From jack-o-lanterns to lattes and pies, pumpkins herald in a season of harvest, food and fun.
And what better way to start the celebration than with a trip to the pumpkin patch. Tromping through fields, pushing away vines, harvesting perfect gourds. Round, oblong, smooth, knobby. It doesn’t matter. The best one is out there waiting to be found.
I go on the hunt when the pumpkin patch opens. Well, I go on the hunt when All the pumpkin patches open. There are several near me and I like to map out a day of pumpkin picking. The fun is in guessing how many perfect gourds I’ll find to fill up my house and my porch.
This year as I mapped out my hunt something occurred to me. I realized I could make a game out of pumpkin picking. I could find the best patches from all over the United States. And why not visit each of them? I could make a bucket list of sorts and check them off as I go.
Most people make lists of museums or parks to visit. Me? I make lists of pumpkin patches.
Here’s what’s on my list ~~
5 Pumpkin Patches That Promise A Celebration
Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm, Wheatland, CA. There’s quite a celebration going on here! You’ll find a Corn Maze, a Petting Zoo, and a Sunflower Labyrinth. And…pig racing! Yep, head out to the Porko Arena for the annual Naspig Races. Now that’s worth watching.
Papa’s Pumpkin Patch, Bismarck, ND.
Now these people know how to have fun!
You’ll find Zip lines and Tire forts.
Just recently they added Pumpkin Cannons.
I’ll bet those are a blast!
Roloff Farms, Hillsboro, OR.
Yes, you guessed it.
This farm is owned by the stars of Little People Big World.
And they have a lot going on.
You’ll find Wagon Tours, Pony Rides, and a Pumpkin Fun House.
Enjoy the Food Carts and the specialty of the farm, Roloff Pumpkin Salsa. Yes, salsa. It comes in three varieties. Peach, Corn, and Verde. Yum!
Uncle Bill’s Farm, Grinnell, IA.
Talk about a good time!
You’ll find a Corn Maze, and Giant Mums from The Greenhouse.
They’ve got the only Corn Pool around! Bushels of corn let you go “corn swimming”. No bathing suit required.
Walter’s Pumpkin Patch, Burns, KS.
There’s serious celebrating here.
You’ll find a Pumpkin House, Giant Jumping Pillows, and a Corn Maze.
There’s also a Gift Shop full of Kansas-made products. All the stuff to decorate your home and make it smell like Fall.
Now that’s a good time.
Pick A Patch
Those are just a handful of the best pumpkin patches I found. How about you? Do you know a great pumpkin patch that promises a celebration? Let us know in the comments.
And who knows? Maybe I’ll see you someplace picking the perfect pumpkin.
Here’s to hunting!