Ripe for The Picking

It’s October and by now families have settled into the normal rhythms of school, sports and everything in between.

The scorching hot days of summer are only an aftertaste as the wind blows in the cool autumn air. Red, yellow and orange decorate the trees, bushes and front door wreaths. Cinnamon and candy corn delight noses and taste buds. Apple pies and ciders warm hands and hearts. It really would not be fall, though, without pumpkin patches and hayrack rides.

For Pete and Andrea Iseman’s family, their annual trip to the pumpkin patch is a three-generational family affair of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and grandkids. Together everyone picks out their favorite pumpkins, plays on the playground, visits the petting farm and enjoys snacks and apple cider.

 After a family meal together, they compare and admire everyone’s pumpkin picks and share memories of that day’s and of previous year’s pumpkin patch adventures. For them, it’s more than just a trip to get a pumpkin for the front porch.

"It has become our last big outdoor celebration before the colder weather sets in," said Andrea. "(It) has formed many lasting family memories."

Other Wichita families can also enjoy a fun family pumpkin patch adventure and maybe even start their own family traditions. There’s a perfect patch for everyone.

In alphabetical order:

A-Maze-In-Grace

- 2130 South Webb Road, Wichita, KS, 67207 – 316.712.9129 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  – cccum.org

Corn maze owned and operated by Christ Community Church, United Methodist. Pre-picked pumpkins for sale, campfires, sandbox, corn cannon, hay jump, hayride, milking cows and duck races. Hot dogs, hamburgers and other affordable snacks and refreshments.

Open Friday, October 1 - Sunday, October 24. Friday 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Last entry into maze at 9 p.m.

Eagle Valley Raptor special event October 2 and 9, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Live Music October 9, 16 and 23 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Group field trips by appointment. Admission: Adults $8, Children 6 – 12 $6 and 5 and under free.

Applejack Pumpkin Patch

- 10007 SW Indianola Rd, Augusta, KS 67010 - 316.733.8909 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – http://www.applejackpumpkinpatch.com 

A pick-in-the field pumpkin patch, hayrack rides, tricycle track, zip-line, hay fort, hill slide, corn and milo mazes, barrel train, corn crib, sand box, duck races, petting zoo, bouncing pillow, paintball gallery*, farmyard chipping green*, sling shot*, gourd gun*, pumpkin cannon*, and fun festival concessions.

Open last weekend of September till October 31. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. M - F, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and 12 - 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $6 per person (1 and under FREE). Military Families Half Price with ID.

Pumpkins Extra (sold by the pound). Group rates available. Cash, Visa/Master Card. No pets or outside food allowed. (*extra fee)

Bergmann’s Pumpkin Farm and Corn Maze

- 8401 S. Meridian, Wichita, KS 67060 – 316.524.1790 or 316.522.3475 for reservation - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – http://www.bergmannpumpkinfarm.com 

Pick either two pie pumpkins (2-5 lbs. each) or two miniature pumpkins or one of each at the pumpkin farm or pre-picked pumpkins at the corn maze. Trailer rides, 20 minute educational video about pumpkins, petting zoo, lunch and snack area, children’s games.

Pumpkin Farm admission $5 includes pumpkins. Open October 1 – October 31. M – F until 4 p.m. Reservations only for the pumpkin farm.

Bergmann’s 15-acre corn maze: answer trivia questions & riddles posted throughout the maze and win prizes. Free trailer rides to and from the maze. Inflatables, carnival games, concessions and other children’s games and play area open during the day.

Groups, birthday parties and special occasions by reservation. Corn maze rates: Adults $9, children 5 – 12 $7. Groups of 15 or more: Adults $7, children 5 – 12 $5. Under 4 Free. Other attractions may have separate prices.

Cox Fun Farms

- 6059 South Seneca, Wichita, KS 67217 - Phone: 316.524.8062. Fax: 316.529.0115 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  – http://www.coxfunfarm.com

Pick-your-own pumpkin patch and pre-picked pumpkins, corn and kid-sized straw mazes, hayrack and wagon rides, petting zoo, slipper slide, large fresh produce market.

School and group reservations and birthday parties. Pumpkin patch open September 20 – October 30. M – F 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Corn Maze open September 1 – November 14. Friday 6 p.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Pumpkin Patch $5 M – F and Saturday and Sunday $7. Prices include pumpkin.

Corn Maze admission: Adults $9, 5-12 yrs. $7 and under 4 free. VIP tickets Saturday and Sunday $12 includes pumpkin. Produce Market open daily 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Vision cards accepted also in the store.

Gaeddert and Martisko Farms Corn Maze and Family Fall Festival

- 13209 E. 82nd Ave., Buhler, KS 67522 – 620.543-3073. Fax: 620.543.3073 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – www.kansasmaze.com

5-acre pick-your-own pumpkin patch and pre-picked pumpkins, Butterfly-shaped corn maze, jumping pillow, Double Tower tunnel slides and more fun and games in the aMAZEing PlayLand area, restroom and concession stands.

Gaeddert Farms does not have any scary or spooky decorations or haunt the maze at night.

Open September 25 – October 31. Friday 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and Sat-Sun 2 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Group reservations available M-F.

Admission for corn maze Adult $8, Child 4-10 $6 and children 3 and under free.

Pumpkins are for sale according to size and kind.

Jumping Pillow weekend all-day pass $3 and week-day pass $2.

Hayride $1.

Barrel Train $2.

Corn Cannon/Pumpkin Slinger $1 and many other free activities.

Cash or Check only.

Harvest Farm & Pumpkin Patch

 - 31617 W Parallel Rd, Turon, KS 67583 – 620.497.6715 (office) – 620.497.6697 (Home) - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – www.harvestfarmks.com

Petting Zoo, Kiddie Korral Play Area, Hayrack Ride, Hayloft Slide, Pedal Tractor Track, Little Farmer’s Field, "The Punkinator", Pumpkin Cannon, Scarecrow Factory, Pumpkin Slingin’, face painting, petting zoo and food.

Open Sept 25 & 26 every weekend to end of October. Saturdays- 10 a.m. to dark and Sundays 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. School tours and group tours available by reservation M - F. Private roasts and roast circles also available by reservation.

General Admission: $6 per person, 2 and under: free. Other attractions may have separate fees. 

Klausmeyer Dairy Farm Tours and Pumpkin Patch

– 8135 south 119 St. West, Clearwater, KS 67026 - 316.706.5391 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  – http://www.klausmeyerdairyfarms.com

Pick-in-the-field pumpkin patch, hay rides and pig races. Open now M-F by appointment only.

October 16 starts the weekends open to the public without an appointment. Group and school tours also available by appointment. $5 per person includes a small to medium pumpkin. Cash only.
 

Munchkin Pumpkin Patch

– 1031 North Hoover Road, Peck, KS 67120 - 316.209.6378 or 316.554.7126 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  – http://www.munchkinpumpkinpatch.com.

Wagon ride and pumpkin picking, hay bale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, bean bag toss, mini-golf, farm animals, corn stompin’, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area.

Open: September 24, 2010 through October 31, 2010. Open daily Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.Payment: Cash only. Admission: $6 per person includes wagon ride and 1 patch pumpkin. Reserved school groups of 10 or more $5 per person. Mini-golf $2. Other attractions may have separate prices.

Papa’s Pumpkin Patch

- 374 E 70th, Newton, KS 67114 – 620.367.2721 or 620.367.8462 - contact@papaspumpkinpatchks.com – http://papaspumpkinpatchks.com 

Field-picked and pre-picked pumpkins, gourd slingshot game and other activities, wagon rides, corn maze.

Open October 1 – October 31. 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday.

Free admission for the pumpkin patch. Corn maze $4 per person.

Walters’ Pumpkin Patch

- 10001 NW 77 Highway, Burns, KS 66840 - Phone: 316.320.4150  - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  – http://www.walterspumpkinpatch.com

U-pick and pre-picked pumpkins, gourds and squash too. Hayrides, jumping pillow, underground slide and mining. Giant treehouse play area, graveyard golf, new zipline, pedal cars and pedal boats. See website for a listing of all the activities. Fall and Christmas shopping in the gift shops and a variety of fall foods in the concessions.

School and homeschool tours during the week with reservations, private campfires and birthday parties with reservations too.

Open the third weekend in September through October 31. 10 a.m. -7 p.m. daily except Sundays 1-7 p.m.

Admission $8 M-F (not all activities open) $10 Saturday and Sunday. Season Pass-$25 per person. Haunted Cannery, $15, and Flashlight Maze, $8, on Friday and Saturday nights in October 7:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. or both for $20. Check, Visa/MasterCard or Cash.