October 2006
Pumpkin Patches
Families heading to local farms in search of the perfect
pumpkin to carve, turn into a pie, or just admire, won't be disappointed.
Local patches offer many shapes and sizes, and even a variety of colors.
As farmers compete for kids' attention, the ever expanding array of extra
attractions can turn a pumpkin hunt into a major family event. Hay rides,
corncob shooting cannons, barrel rides, corn mazes and even a haunted
woods can make for a memorable harvest time outing.
The W.W. Seymour Conservatory, located in Tacoma's Wright Park, 316 South
G St., will offer the perfect backdrop for taking harvest photos, complete
with pumpkin patch and scarecrow. Admission is free. 10am-4:30pm Tuesdays
through Sundays, Oct. 17-31.
Most of the following pumpkin patches are open daily, but some activities
are restricted to weekends. To avoid being disappointed, call ahead to
verify the day’s schedule of events.
Pierce County
Loves Farm. Pumpkin shot, Halloween fun
house, and corn maze. Call for hours. $4.50 for corn maze. 2010 Meridian
E, Edgewood. 253-942-3667.
Maris Dairy Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze. Features
a farm courtyard where children can go through a hay maze, ride in barrels
and watch animals. Free hayrides in a tractor-pulled wagon on weekends.
For older kids, a night corn maze and haunted woods. For younger kids,
an unhaunted woods day tour. Check Web site for hours and prices. 24713
Sumner-Buckley Hwy., Buckley. 253-862-2848. www.marisfarms.com.
Pichas' Pumpkin Patch. A family-friendly
farm featuring pumpkins of all sizes, a four-acre corn maze, pumpkin sling
shots, photo backdrops, gourds, and corn stalks. 3-6pm Thursdays and Fridays,
9am-dusk Saturdays and Sundays. Located between Puyallup and Tacoma just
off River Road, on 66th and 52nd streets. 253-841-4443.
Sasaki Farms. U-pick pumpkin patch. Noon to dusk. 15308
188th St. E, Orting. 360-893-5973.
Scholz Farm and Pumpkin Palace. Features pumpkins, painted
pumpkins, face painting, a large corn maze, a small free corn maze, a
Halloween gift shop and picnic areas. Tours by reservation. Weekend concessions
available. 9am-6pm daily. 12920 State Route 162 E, Orting. 253-848-7604.
Spooner Farms. A family-friendly farm featuring pumpkins
of all sizes, photo back-drops, a five-acre corn maze, pumpkin sling shots
and an indoor hay maze for ages 4 and younger. Farm animals include miniature
donkeys, goats and African black-belly sheep. Features a restaurant and
candy store. 9am-6pm daily. 9710 State Route 162 E, Puyallup. 253-840-2059.
Terry’s Berries Pumpkin Patch and Apple Harvest Festival.
Features apple and pumpkin picking, cider making, wagon rides
and farm tours. 10am-6pm weekdays, 10am-4pm weekends. 4520 River Rd.,
Puyallup. 253-922-1604. www.terrysberries.com.
The Pumpkin Palace. Features painted pumpkins, a corn
maze, face painting, gift shop and concession stand. Call for hours. 12920
SR 162 E (Sumner-Orting) Hwy. 253-848-5955.
Kitsap County
Pheasant Fields Farm. Corn maze and pumpkins. Farm tours at 11am and 1pm daily. 13274 Clear Creek Rd. NW, Silverdale. 360-697-6224. www.pheasantfields.com.
Scandia Valley Farm. Tours of an historic Poulsbo farm built in 1904. Guides dressed in pioneer clothing will emphasize the fall harvest, rather than Halloween. Tours begin with harvest stories told in the Pumpkin Theater, and progress through a straw maze and pumpkin patch. 9:30am-6:30pm weekdays, 10am-6pm weekends. $5 includes the tour and a pumpkin. 16624 Scandia Rd. NW, Poulsbo. 360-779-3353. http://users.acninc.net/jensmiss/.
Mason County
Hunter Farms. Features a variety of pumpkins, ranging
from the small Jack-Be-Littles, to the sweet Sugar and Pie and even white
pumpkins. Hay, straw, corn stalks, gourds and winter squash are also available.
Tractor rides and mazes are free and available 9:30am-5:30pm to Oct. 1.
Food and drinks available from local vendors or the general store. E.
1291 Hwy 106, Union. 360-898-2222. www.hunterfarms.com.
Thurston County
Hunter Pumpkin Patch. Features wagon rides, hay mazes, a corn maze, kiddie train, animal farm, carousel, a giant slide and weekend pony rides. The animal farm includes miniature donkeys, llamas, turkeys and goats. Concessions are available on weekends. 9am-5pm weekdays, 9am-6pm weekends Oct. 7-30. 7401 Yelm Hwy. SE, Olympia. 360-456-0466. www.hunterchristmastrees.com.
Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm. Features a petting zoo, horse-drawn wagon rides, apple bobbing, hay and corn mazes. Caramelized apples, apple butter, locally made jams, honey, dried fruit, frozen berries and pies are available for purchase. 9am-6pm Mondays-Saturdays, 11am-4pm Sundays. 9402 Rich Rd. SE, Olympia. 360-491-7328.
Pigman’s Pumpkin Patch. A quieter farm experience featuring organic produce and pumpkins of all sizes. Visitors are invited to feed the lambs and cows. 10am-6pm Mondays-Saturdays, 10am-6pm Sundays. 10633 Steilacoom Rd. SE, Olympia. 360-491-3276.
Rutledge Farm’s Corn Maze. Features three miles of twisting trails in two separate maze adventures and horse drawn hay rides to the pumpkin patch. Other activities include pumpkin carving contests, crafts, miniature golf, haunted maze and live music. Snacks are available for purchase. Call for cost and hours. 302 93rd Ave. SE, Olympia. 360-280-8179. www.rutledgecornmaze.com.
Schilter Family Farm. Features a
patch filled with miniature to giant pumpkins. Fruits, vegetables, flowers,
gourds, corn stalks, Indian corn, winter squash and hay bales are available
for purchase. Activities include a petting farm, weekend hay rides, a
hay maze and a corn maze. Weekend concessions feature hot spiced apple
cider. Call for cost and hours. 141 Nisqually Cutoff Rd. SE, Olympia.
360-459-4023.
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