Pumpkin Patch Possibilities
The foggy mornings and falling leaves aren’t the only things reminding us that fall has arrived. Oregon is a little more on the orange side this season, as pumpkins pop up everywhere from grocery stores to road-side stands to neighborhood front porches. Even though pumpkins can be found just about anywhere this time of year, the best way to get pumpkins with your family this year isn’t searching among the bin outside your closest supermarket, it’s picking them straight from the patch!
Taking your family out to one of the local farms for a day of pumpkin picking, hay riding, and family bonding is a great way to get your pumpkin fix for the season while enjoying a fun, educational day outside together. We have put together a list of five of the biggest and best farm harvest celebrations around - most taking place all month long - where your family can go to get a fresh taste of farm life and welcome the fall season!
Hentze Family Farm
October Hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm daily
Family Fun: A tractor-drawn hay wagon takes you through the woods and to the pumpkin patch!
Special Events: Take a Night Walk through the jack-o-lantern lit pumpkin patch from 7:00pm to 9:00pm October 19, 20, 26, 27.
Cost: $5 per person
Location: 30045 Hentze Lane, Junction City, Oregon 97448
Contact: 541-998-8944, http://www.hentzefarm.com/
Lone Pine Farms
October Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Thursday
9:00am – 10:00pm Friday – Sunday
Family Fun: All October long come out for horse drawn and tractor drawn hayrides, u-pick pumpkin patch and flower garden, corn maze, petting zoo, cow-train roller coaster and other family friendly fall activities!
Special Events: FREE Happy Hearts Eugene Face Painting with Christine – Sunday October 20 & 27, 12:00pm – 3:00pm
FREE Pumpkin Empire Carving Demonstrations with Tom Lindskog – Saturday October 19, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Cost: $3 - $6 per person
Location: 91909 River Road, Junction City, OR 97448
Contact: 541-688-4389, http://www.lonepinefarms.com/
Northern Lights Farms
October Hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm Tuesday – Saturday
12:00pm – 5:00pm Sunday
Closed Mondays
Family Fun: Colonial Harvest Days Oct. 1 –Oct 31! Take a trip with Pilgrim Bob on a hayride to the pumpkin patch for a fun and educational ride, watch pumpkins launched by a giant trebuchet, learn about coming to America on the life-size “hayflower” ship, feed the farm animals, live music and more!
Special Events: Pie eating contest at 2:00pm each weekend
Cost: $5 per person or $20 per family
Admission includes small complimentary pumpkin
Location: 36777 Wheeler Road, Pleasant Hill, OR 97455
Contact: 541-746-5161, http://www.northernlightschristmastreefarm.com/colonial-harvest-days.html
Thistledown Farm
October Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm daily
Family Fun: Tractor drawn hay wagon or horse drawn hay wagon available to take your family to the patch, or feel free to walk down for no charge to pick your perfect pumpkin! Kid’s Corn maze and hay mazes are great kids of all ages!
Special Events: None
Cost: $2.50 per person (wagon ride only)
Location: 91455 River Road Junction City OR 97448
Contact: 541-689-2019, http://www.thistledownfarms.net/Pages/default.aspx
Detering Orchards
October Hours: 8:00am – 6:00pm* Monday – Saturday
8:00am – 5:00pm* Sunday
*U-Pick closes one hour earlier
Family Fun: Every weekend of the month enjoy hayrides, Children’s hay maze, fresh apple cider, piles of pumpkins, and a free kid-sized pumpkin for each child who visits!
Special Events: Apple Daze – Detering Orchards’ fall harvest celebration, every weekend in October!
Cost: FREE
Location: 30946 Wyatt Drive, Harrisburg, OR 97446
Contact: 541-995-6341, http://www.deteringorchards.com/pictures/apple-daze
No matter which pumpkin patch you decide to explore with your family this year, you are sure to have a one-of-a-kind experience with your little ones. These local farms are a great place to teach your children about the exciting harvest season and to let them help you pick some fresh produce for the family to enjoy later. So pull on your favorite fall sweater and get outdoors with your family for an unforgettable day of fun at the farm this month!