-By Jessica Schultz-
It’s almost time for Halloween and you have to have pumpkins to carve into Jack-o’-lanterns. This is the perfect time to visit a local pumpkin farm and make a beautiful fall day out of pumpkin hunting. Most places offer a variety of entertainment for families and tasty treats to eat and delightful drinks to enjoy. Let’s see what places are around our areas.
Pumpkinville (4844 Sugartown Road, Great Valley, NY): Open through October 31st from 9am-7pm daily, Pumpkinville has been a local staple in Ellicottville, NY for many years. Besides the choice of pumpkins big and small, for entertainment they offer Perky the Talking Pumpkin, Storyland, Train Play area, Farm Animals, Singing Chicken Show, the Kiddie Spookum Barn. There is even a beer garden for adults. Watch fresh cider being pressed and grab a gallon to take home from the onsite fridge. There is also a great array of apples to pick to fit your snacking and baking needs, as well as fudge, country gifts and décor. (The activities are open every day Monday through Sunday. On week days Apple blasters open at 1pm. Note: If raining or wet, jump pillows will be closed. Chicken BBQ and Kettle Corn open on weekends only.) Check out the famous pumpkin donuts and Pumpkin Ice Cream at the food stands. Cost of admission for the front farm market and retails shops are free, ages 3 and up must have either a Barnyard Blast or Hogwild Combo Pass to enter the back Barnyard Fun Activities area. Barnyard Blast is $17.50 and Hogwild Combo Pass is $25. Tickets may be purchased by visiting Pumpkinville.com.
Pumpkintown (3535 Baker St. Ext, Busti, NY) Pumpkintown offers a grand set of attractions spread out over 50 acres 10am-6pm on Saturdays and Sundays through October 30. From purchasing pumpkins to onsite vendors that vary each weekend, from face painters to popcorn sellers, they have something for everyone in the family. There is the giant slide, cow train and hayrides, corn maze, smaller haunted maze, bouncing pads, haunted house, mini golf, basketball, duckie racing, pony rides and so much more… Co-Owner Sarah Minor, her husband Marshall and her brother Jason Genberg have all been working to make this one of Chautauqua County’s best area attractions. Sarah said, “We are always striving to improve each year, whether it is by adding a new attraction or improving an area we’ve already established. This year we’ve put a lot of work into improving our food and sweets stand.” Sarah went on to say, “I think what makes us unique is we’ve spread everything out over the 50 acres to try and make it feel like you are actually on a farm and not just a farm attraction. We want everyone to have space and not feel so compact, even during busy weekends.” Cost of admission is $14 for adults and children ages 3+, $10 for seniors, $7 for veterans/active military and free for children 2 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance and they accept both cash and cards. For more information visit the Pumpkintown Facebook page.
Awald Farms Giant Pumpkin Patch (2195 Shirley Road, North Collins, NY) A U-Pick farm and farm market that has been going for over four generations. They are a commercial supplier for regional grocery markets all over the Northeast. In October through Halloween, it’s pumpkin season. Open from 10-7pm daily you can visit for a nice family outing. Nicknamed the Giant Pumpkin Patch, they offer pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, including pumpkins that are hundreds of pounds. They have a fabulous shop with jams, maple syrup, and county gifts you can purchase to take home. Don’t forget to stop and grab a photo in their now blooming sunflower field to commemorate your visit. There is not cost of admission to visit the farm. For more information visit the Awald Farms Facebook page.
Akron Acres (12607 Stage Road, Akron NY) Akron Acres is a year-round farm that offers a great fall attraction. You can visit Friday-Sunday from 10am-5:30pm and visit the country store and market to pick up pumpkins, apples, cider, fall décor, honey and more. There is no cost of admission to visit the shops or animal barns. If you want to do the corn maze, the cost is $10 and they have great deals on the hayrides that include not just the ride but options to also include a pony ride, corn maze visit and picking a pumpkin from the patch. This is a family-owned operation on its 32nd year of business. Owner Marilyn Kelkenberg, her husband Andy, and their children Laura and Jake have been striving to make “A visit a tradition” for all the families who visit. Marilyn had this to say, “I think we are unique in the fact that we have become a real tradition for a lot of our families who come out to see us. One gentleman came out with his family for the 32nd time this year. He’s been coming since we opened and that’s the type of atmosphere we strive to provide.” Don’t forget to grab some kettle corn for the ride home. You can find details on the hayride bundle options and more information on the farm by visiting Akron Acres website, akronacres.com.
The Great Pumpkin Farm (11199 Main Street, Clarence NY) New York’s largest fall festival attraction, open daily through October 30th from 10am-7pm and themed festivals each weekend. They’ve been open since 1996 and have been growing each year since. They have hosted the World Pumpkin Weigh Off each fall and are in the Guinness Book of World Records for the first 1,000lb pumpkin. Featuring the zombie train, boo barn, amusement rides, hayrides, corn maze (that sometimes you may find a zombie or dinosaur or two lurking in) and much more. Each weekend offers a theme of some sort, such as October 15th and 16thfeaturing the World Pumpkin Pie Eating Competition and dinos in the corn maze from 12-4pm. The final weekend, October 29th& 30th is costume contest weekend, so if you visit then, make sure to come dressed to impress in your Halloween best. There is also panning for gems, shooting gallery, petting zoo, jumping pillows, playground, magic shows, and a variety of options for dining. Visit the Witches Brew Bar & Café for domestic beer and Halloween drinks and the food grove offers the best festival food, like fried dough, pizza and more. And no trip to the Great Pumpkin Farm would be complete without grabbing a pumpkin from the patch and visiting the bakery and candy store for all the sweet fall delights you could dream of. Cost of admission is $12 per person, $10 for seniors 65 and over and children 2 and under are free. Tickets for midway rides are $1.50 each and most rides are 3 or 4 tickets. Midway is open daily from 11am-6pm, weather permitting. Tickets are available at the gate or online by visiting The Great Pumpkin Farm’s website, greatpumpkinfarm.com.
So many great places to visit and so short in October. (October should be at least another 30 days longer) Wherever you choose to visit, you are in for a special fall time with your family. Enjoy your visits!!