While all the other Peanuts were enjoying those Halloween festivities, in Gresham, Sandy and Estacada, the vibe aligns more with Linus.
How could you not forgo the party to wait in the pumpkin patch for the mythical Great Pumpkin? If the legendary gourd is going to show up anywhere, it would be at one of the amazing local patches set for lots of fall fun.
Liepold Farms and Hemphill Farms have got some big plans for this autumn — hay rides and corn mazes, apple cider and donuts, tractor rides and pony rides, yard games and bounce houses, and, of course, plenty of pumpkins.
Liepold Farms
When: Sept. 28 to Oct. 31
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 14050 S.E. Richey Road, Boring
Entry: $20 adult pass, $15 for kids (ages 2-13)
At Liepold Farms there is something for everyone — with games, challenges and educational activities for all ages that make the annual autumnal festival more than your standard patch.
There are different varieties of pumpkins gourds and squash to carve, bake into pies, can, or decorate your home with; a 6-acre corn maze and a dark maze; hayride and apple slingshot; festival-wide scavenger hunt; specialty activities for kids; and fall treats like caramel apples and fresh apple-cider and pumpkin donuts.
Other food includes the farm’s famous pulled pork, grilled chicken, sausages, nachos, caramel corn, hot apple cider, hand-dipped caramel apples, and local beers, hard ciders and wine.
A reward for that scavenger hunt is a miniature goat experience, where you can get up-close and personal with juvenile miniature Nigerian dwarf goats — for the less talented scavengers the goats can also be admired as they bounce around their pen.
Liepold will also have special events at the fall festival:
2024 Maple Shade Maker’s Market will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, will have more than 100 curated vendors, food, artisanal cocktails in the barn tasting room and live music.Night Time Corn Maze, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, that will bring extra Halloween spooks. The 21-and-over outing includes dinner, two beverages and a show by “Flowanda” with fire juggling, torches, flaming swords and fire eating. More information and tickets: tinyurl.com/3zuc7rjt
This year’s theme is “The Magic Beneath Our Feet,” celebrating the ecosystems that support the farm’s sustainability. There will be lots of information on the hidden world of soil, earthworms and roots. Part of that theme includes a “Worm Hunt” where participants will seek out 16 costumed wriggly critters across the property.
Hemphill Farms
When: Weekends Sept. 28 through Oct. 27, as well as Friday, Oct. 11
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 20324 S. Redland Road, Oregon City (it has an Oregon City address, but it’s actually closer to Eagle Creek and Estacada).
Entry: $20 day pass, age 2 and under free; $50 season pass
A farm that has made its name with u-cut Christmas trees takes just as much pride in its gourds.
“We are excited for our third season,” said Chelsea Hemphill. “We have many activities and attractions, including of course the pumpkin patch.”
The list is dizzying.
There are traditional offerings like tractor hay rides and barrel wagon rides; hay tower and apple cannons; a corn maze and a simpler hay labyrinth for the little ones; and an animal pen with goats, baby pigs and a mini donkey.
Hemphill Farms has lots of other activities geared toward kids. There is a bounce house, dig pit, super slides, tire playground, rock scavenger hunt, bucket tic-tac-toe, giant Connect Four, yard Yahtzee, and “Hopper Basketball, constructed using a grain hopper.
Hemphill Farms also has more unique offerings, including a bounce house and “Hopper Basketball,” which was constructed using a grain hopper.
There are tasty treats — hot dogs, chili and nachos, as well as churros, cotton candy, and the “best elephant ears around.” Wash it all down with beer, cider and win from the “Farm Bar.” The farm also has new outdoor seating.
Hemphill Farms has a small store where visitors can purchase local goods and merchandise. There are lots of photo ops set up, and a raffle. The whole property is dog friendly, with four-legged friends asked to be leashed while enjoying the patch.
Bushue’s Family Farm
When: Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 28-Oct. 27
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 9880 S.E. Revenue Road, Boring
Entry: Free, pay for individual activities
A farm designed to delight children brings back a popular pumpkin patch filled with fall activities. Entry at Bushue’s Family Farm is free, with tickets for various activities, meaning you only have to pay for what you want to do.
The highlights include:
A play area with tube slide, hay bales, giant bubbles and sandboxPig train, a pink wide-barrel train pulled by a tractor around the farmPre-picked pumpkins or a hayride out into the patch to find your own gourd“Dirt baby kits,” take-home kit that will grow vibrant grass hairMini corn mazeFarm animals like goats, kunekune pig, and chickensU-cut flowers
The farm has lots of treats and food to enjoy. There is apple cider donuts, apple cider slushies and apple slices with caramel dip; hot dogs, chips and drinks; and folks can bring their own snacks or picnic to enjoy at the farm.
Local News
Comments / 0