Head to the pumpkin patch

MAIN PHOTO BY MEGAN FOREHAND KENNEDY AND SECONDARY PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH

Helena Hollow, left, and The Great Pumpkin Patch, below, are two local options for seasonal fun.

Fall Fun for the Family

Our area hosts a variety of pumpkin patches, hayrides, and corn mazes

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

From Homewood to Hoover, Cullman to Calera, and many points in between, there’s likely a pumpkin patch within a half-hour road trip from your driveway. Most spots offer activities to entertain toddlers all the way up to the older kiddos (corn maze confusion, anyone?), so don’t get tricked into thinking these destinations are just for the littles. Pumpkin patches are basically a one-day mini theme park visit, with all the food, fun, and family memories you can make! Bonus: Your kids won’t have any trouble falling asleep after a day at the farm.

4D FARM 4dfamilyfarm.com

Where: 7182 County Rd. 703 in Cullman What: Barnyard coaster, duck races, hayrides, corn maze, farm animals, pumpkin patch, and more When: Wednesdays–Sundays until November 6 How Much: Day passes start at $12.95; purchase online to save off gate prices Don’t Miss: The candy cannon and pig races on weekends

BENNETT FARMS bennettfarms.com

Where: 1073 County Rd. 13 in Heflin What: The annual Pumpkin Patch with farm animals, a hay maze, wildflower field, pipe slides, concessions, and a wagon train; the Country Store sells handmade soaps, pottery, and more When: Wednesdays and Fridays–Sundays until Oct.31 Don’t Miss: Scarecrow decorating, live music every Saturday this month; head back November 20–21 for The Market, a vendor event featuring local artisans, farmers, and antiques.

CAMP WINNATASKA

Where: 260 Winnataska Dr. in Pell City What: 2nd Annual Pumpkin Patch with games and hayrides When: Oct. 16–17 How Much: Free admission; bring money for extras Don’t Miss: Roasting marshmallows with chocolate and graham crackers…need we say s’more?

GRACE HOUSE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL grace-house.org

Where: Homewood Central Park What: 8th Annual Pumpkin Festival benefitting Grace House Ministries When: Oct. 23, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. How Much: $10 for children (includes a pumpkin and all activities), adults are free Don’t Miss: The 24-foot rock wall and Milo’s Burger Bus. This year, you can preorder a four-cookie bundle from Cookie Fix with your tickets, available for pickup at the festival (a portion of sales benefits Grace House).

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GRIFFIN FARM OF WEST BLOCTON griffinfarmal.com

Where: 826 Griffin Rd. in West Blocton What: Corn maze, zipline, hamster wheel, bouncy barn, pumpkin patch, and animal barn When: Saturdays–Sundays in Oct. How Much: $10 admission for ages 2 and up (includes a pumpkin, or exchange your pumpkin ticket at the Nut Shoppe for a drink, cotton candy, or boiled peanuts) Don’t Miss: King-size corn bed and food trucks for a family picnic

HALLOWEEN FAIRYLAND tannehillstatepark.org/events

Where: Tannehill State Park in McCalla What: 200 campsites with trick-or-treating, moonwalks, face painting, and a bungee jump When: Oct. 30; festival (11 a.m.–4 p.m.) and trick-ortreating (5–9 p.m.) How Much: Gate admission is $3 kids 6-11, $4 seniors, $5 adults (some attractions cost extra); bring money for a festival T-shirt Don’t Miss: Extensive campsite decorations and lights *Tannehill offers $5 hayrides at 6 and 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 23

PUMPKIN JUNCTION hodrrm.org

Where: Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera What: A short train ride through the woods to the patch for pumpkins, hayrides, and games When: Saturdays–Sundays through Oct. 30 How Much: Tickets start at $17 for children and adults Don’t Miss: The train whistle! Listen out for the boarding signal about 45 minutes after you arrive

THE PATCH AT HELENA HOLLOW helenahollow.com

Where: 6027 Hwy. 17 in Helena What: More than 30 activities on 10 acres, including a corn barn, truck slides, and zipswing When: Saturdays–Sundays through Oct. 31 How Much: Admission starts at $12.95 Don’t Miss: Any of it! Helena Hollow was named best patch in the state; also try your luck on the mechanical bull

HOOVER HAYRIDE AND FAMILY NIGHT hooveral.org

Where: Veterans Park on Valleydale Rd. in Hoover What: Tractor hayrides and family-friendly trick-ortreating booths (costumes encouraged!) When: Oct. 29, 5–8 p.m. How Much: Free

SIMS GARDEN cityofhomewood.com/sims-garden

Where: 913 Irving Rd. in Homewood What: Pumpkin and mum sale at the only Over-theMountain pumpkin patch, family photo ops, scavenger hunt, and arts and crafts When: Daily through Oct. How Much: Free admission plus the cost of pumpkins and mums Don’t Miss: Weekend treats from the Charlie Brownstyle Pumpkin Spice Café and the Scarecrow Trail with submissions from neighbors (vote for your favorite before you go!)

OLD BAKER FARM oldbakerfarm.com

Where: 184 Furrow Ln. in Harpersville What: U-pick pumpkin farm, corn maze, petting farm, and train rides When: Daily through Oct. How Much: $11 (includes a pumpkin); $1 cash discount Don’t Miss: Sunflowers and cotton bolls for sale; Halloween Party on Oct. 16 and Festival Weekend, featuring handcrafted items from local vendors Oct. 23–24

PENTON FARMS pentonfarms.com

Where: 3595 County Rd. 59 in Verbena What: Patch, corn pit, cow train, corn maze, hay mountain, slides, wagon rides, and live music on Saturdays When: Daily except Sundays through Oct. 30 How Much: $10 (includes most activities and a pumpkin) Don’t Miss: The super slide, human hamster wheel, and a fall foliage photo op in the sunflower field

THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH greatpumpkinpatch.com

Where: 288 Hwy. 45 in Hayden What: Covered wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, bungee run, petting zoo, inflatables, Great Pumpkin Patch Train, and pony rides When: Daily through November 7 How Much: Free admission; activity armbands range $5 to $15 Don’t Miss: Halloween costume contest and a sweet treat from the Pie House

Looking for a safe public trick-or-treat option? Head to bhamfamily.com for a list of Halloween candy-collecting spots and a bonus recipe for toasted pumpkin seeds.