Witches, hay rides, corn mazes and every conceivable use of the pumpkin await you
When the thermometer begins its inevitable descent, and sunset comes sooner as clocks turn back, it’s time to savor a cornucopia of fall festivities on the farm. Whether you’re on the hunt for something novel or traditional harvest fun, there’s plenty to do.
Oompah-bands and beer steins? You got it. Holiday helicopter ride? Why not? Witches and ghouls? Of course. Corn mazes, hay rides, barnyard petting zoos, and pick-your-own produce? Gotcha covered. And of course, every possible use for a pumpkin.
In fact, the season’s best pumpkin picks reach way beyond old favorites like pie and beer, to full-size houses of pumpkins, jack-o-lantern displays, and Delaware’s own national sensation, Punkin Chunkin. So get out there and enjoy some farm fun.
To ensure the best time, call ahead to check on the availability of produce at you-pick events, and for weather-related updates.
Maze Craze
LINVILLA ORCHARDS PUMPKIN LAND
Daily in September, weekends in October
FREE
137 West Knowlton Rd., Media, Pa. 19063
(610) 876-7116, Linvilla.com
With 100 tons of pumpkins on display, what else could this attraction be called? Pumpkinland has mazes, huge displays, live entertainment, train and pony rides, barnyard animals, fishing (no license required, but there is a fee), crafts, scarecrows, U-Pick orchards, and a Jack-o-lantern exhibit on the 300-acre farm. Punkin Chunkin lovers: test your skills on the Apple Slingshot. The non-haunted Hayride to the Witches’ House has stories and jokes, finishing with bonfire, marshmallows and cider.
Special dates: September has Arts and Music and Apple
festivals; Oct. 26 is the Costume Parade.
CHERRY CREST ADVENTURE FARM AMAZING MAIZE MAZE
Now through Nov. 8
$15 -$18
150 Cherry Hill Rd., Ronks, Pa. 17572
(866) 546-1799, cherrycrestfarm.com
With 2.5 miles of paths, this maze, created by a Disney Broadway producer, is well worth the 45-minute drive from Delaware up Rt. 41. Come for the maze, stay for the farm activities.
A field of pumpkins at Ramsey’s Farm. (Photo by Ramsey’s Farm)
FARM FESTIVALS
RAMSEY’S FARM
Weekends through Nov. 2
$10; $6 for 1 – 4 years old
500 Ramsey Rd., Wilmington, 19803
477-1499, ramseysfarm.com
Ramsey’s is a good pick for families looking for fun with an educational twist: kids learn about local farming with “Who is Your Farmer?” trivia throughout the property. Offerings include hayrides, pumpkin picking and painting, toddler Hay Play, corn maze, sorghum maze (shorter stalks for kids), and hay bale maze for little ones. Bring a non-perishable food item for charity for a chance to win a Lionel Train set. Night Fun: bonfires, flashlight maze, and hayrides. Daytime events run Friday to Sunday; evening events are Friday and Saturday.
More festival
attractions…
MILBURN ORCHARDS
The pumpkin house at Milburn Orchards. (Photo by Milburn Orchards)
Weekends through Nov. 2
$10; under 2 years old, free
1495 Appleton Rd., Elkton, Md. 21921
(410) 398-1349, milburnorchards.com
There’s lots to do on this farm: Barn Yard Buddies, hayrides,
corn and mazes, Boo Barn (non-haunted), Tractor Tunnel, inflatables, Obstacle Bounce, Sand Dig pit, Giant Spider Web, Rope Maze Family Challenge and Tractor Tire Tower. Pony rides and paintball cost extra.
Special dates: Admission is free Sept. 6 – 7.
HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL
Oct. 4 & 5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free for members, $7 for non-members over 5
Coverdale Farm Preserve, 543 Way Road, Greenville, 19807, 239-2334, delawarenaturesociety.org
The entrance to the Harvest Moon Festival. (Photo provided by the Delaware Nature Society)
This festival has artisan demonstrations, crafts, live animal programs, corn maze, hayrides, scarecrow making, farmers market, live music and more. Draft horse and pony rides cost extra.
SCARY STUFF
FRIGHTLAND
Nights, Friday – Sunday, Sept. 26 to Nov. 30
$35
309 Port Penn Rd., Middletown, 19709
378-8267, frightland.com
Now in its 18th year, this is rated one of the nation’s top 10 haunted attractions by Forbes
magazine. Frightland marshals 180 ghouls and ghosts to scare thrill-seeking guests. The
creators of Delaware’s scariest leukemia fundraiser and only Haunted House are readying
120 acres with eight bone-chilling attractions, like Ravenwood Cemetery, Zombie Ghost
Town, Haunted Barn, Attic, Idalia Manor, Horror hayride, and Zombie Prison.
Special dates: $5 off on Sundays, and the event’s first two weekends.
THE BATES MOTEL AND HAUNTED HAYRIDE
Nights, Sept. 26, 27, 28, Oct. 3, 4, 5, 10 – 31, Nov. 1, 2
Adults/Motel $15; Hayride $20; Trail $15
1835 Middletown Rd., Glen Mills, Pa. 19342
(610) 459-0647, thebatesmotel.com
This attraction rates an impressive 9.9 skulls for originality and 9.7 for scariness and
special effects by hauntworld.com. Early bird, group and combo specials start at $25.
THE PSYCHO PATH & ZOMBIE HUNT
Weekends in October, 7 – 11 p.m.
5899 Rehoboth Blvd., Milford, 19963
422-2840, personalrush.org
The Psycho Path is an unguided 4.5-acre fog-filled walk with gruesome displays and
ghouls bringing to life the nightmares lurking inside your mind. Come early (noon – 7
p.m.) for mini golf, batting cages, and Zombie Hunt paintball ($45 for air, mask, gun, and
500 balls).
UNUSUAL OFFERINGS
SLEEP UNDER THE STARS AT CAROUSEL PARK
A family poses in front of their tent at Carousel Park. (Photo provided by New Castle County Government)
Oct. 25 – 26
FREE
3700 Limestone Rd., Wilmington, 19808
395-5652, nccde.org/specialevents
Stay for the day or bring a tent and camp overnight. Either way, kids love to wear costumes for tent-to-tent trick-or-treating. Activities include pumpkin painting, scarecrow stuffing, hayrides, fishing, games, a Halloween safety show, bonfires and a movie. New this year: line dancing instruction. Check in 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, check out by noon Sunday.
NANTICOKE INDIAN POWWOW
Sept. 6
27073 John J. Williams Hwy., Millsboro, 19966
945-7022, nanticokeindians.org
Native American artisans display and sell hand-made goods.
While there, visit the Nanticoke Museum (10 a.m. – 4 p.m., $3/
adults, $1/children). It’s a National Historic Landmark and
Delaware’s only Native American Museum.
HEN HOUSE FUN ON THE FARM DAY
Sept. 13, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
FREE
11465 Sycamore Rd., Laurel, 19956
875-6922, thehenhousede.com
This 1,000-acre family farm celebrates farming with an Antique
Tractor Show, pony and hay rides, and petting zoo. Get there early
for homemade ice cream, free while supplies last.
COLEMAN’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
HOLIDAY HELICOPTER RIDE
A helicopter view of Coleman’s Farm. (Photo provided by Coleman’s Farm)
Weekends, Sept. 20 to Oct. 26, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free farm visit; $50 helicopter rides
550 Silver Run Rd., Odessa, 19709
378-8949, colemanstreefarm.com
For an unconventional approach to “keeping perspective on the holidays,” get above it all with a holiday helicopter ride. Call ahead for availability. Once back on terra firma, visit the farm for U-Pick orchards and playground with an Indian tepee.
SEA WITCH HALLOWEEN & FIDDLER’S FESTIVAL
Oct. 24 – 26
Rehoboth Boardwalk, Bandstand, Museum, Convention Center
This is one wild and wicked festival with scores of events. New
this year: satellite parking and shuttle service.
SCHMIDT’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
Starting Nov. 21
Mon. – Fri. 12 – 5 p.m., Sat./Sun. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
FREE
1741 Flint Hill Road Landenberg, Pa. 19350
(610) 274-8560, schmidtstreefarm.com
Have a close encounter with Santa’s team: visit a reindeer family (please don’t feed them) and romp on a mulch mountain with tunnels and a slide. Free hot chocolate!
FOR FOODIES
FORDHAM & DOMINION BREWING
CHEESETOBERFEST
Oct. 4, 1 – 6 p.m.
$30/general, $60/VIP
1284 Mc D Dr., Dover, 19901
678-4810, cheesetoberfest.com
Cheestoberfest draws 30 restaurant competitors from four states. Along
with award-winning beers, the 21-and over event also includes a macaroni and cheese cook-off. Call it cheesy, but no festival with beer would be complete without an oompah band, so get ready for some German brass. General admission includes beer stein and all the cheese you can eat. VIP: bottomless mug, food, dessert, commemorative stein and t-shirt. Purchase tickets for this rain or shine event online. No tickets available at the door.
FARMER AND FOODIE FESTIVAL
Sept. 12, 13 — 4 p.m.
Georgetown Circle, Georgetown, 19947
856-1818, visitsoutherndelaware.com
Cooking demonstrations, beer and wine tastings from local breweries and vineyards, carriage rides, live entertainment, pumpkin decorating and a backyard barbecue competition.
EAT IN THE STREET
Sept. 21, 5 p.m.
$75/admission
Riverwalk on Walnut St., Milford, 19963
839-1180, downtownmilford.org
A farm to table to street sit down dinner served up by local culinary artists using locally sourced food. Also includes local arts and entertainment.
