2020 Pumpkin Patches & Farm Fun Near OKC

Pumpkin season is here!

We rounded up a list of some fabulous farms and other community organizations hosting pumpkin patches in and around the OKC metro.

Pumpkin Patches & Fall Farms

Sept. 10 – Oct. 31
Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch (720 Henney Rd, Arcadia) features hayrides, a hay maze, a fun fort, a petting zoo, pony rides and more. $11; Thursdays, $9; kids (2 and under), free. Cash or check only. Thursday, 1 p.m. – dark; Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – dark.315-7392

Sept. 19 – Nov. 1
Sunshine Shelly’s Pumpkin Patch (7110 N Harrison, Shawnee) features u-pick-em pumpkins and ornamental gourds for sale, a four-acre corn maze, hayrides, a kiddie train, corn cannon, haunted maze on the weekends, a small petting zoo, rubber duck races, fire pits, picnic areas and more. Adults, $7; seniors (65 & up); kids (2-12), $5; kids (1 & under), free. Some activities require an additional fee. No admission charged to pick pumpkins. See website for hours of operation. 401-1994

Sept. 25 – Oct. 18
WINGS: A Special Needs Community Fall Harvest Pumpkin Patch (13700 N Eastern, Edmond) features pumpkins, pony rides, a pumpkin train, hay rides, hay slide, corn maze, bounce houses, games and more. $5; kids (2 & under), free. Operating hours are Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 – 6 p.m. 242-4646

Sept. 26 – Oct. 31
Rustic Roots Pumpkin Patch (105340 Greer Rd, Lamont) features pumpkins and fall decor as well as a corn maze, petting zoo, corn cannon, hay fort, petting zoo, concessions and more. Families are welcome to bring coolers and enjoy a picnic on the farm. $10 per person ages 3-64. For a limited time, families can get early bird tickets for $6 until the end of August. Toddlers 2 & under as well as seniors 65 & up get in free.  Tuesday & Wednesday, by appointment only; Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 – 7 p.m. 580-716-3608

Sept. 26 – Oct. 31
Wild Things Farm (700 Beaty Ave, Pocola) features a corn maze, flashlight maze, petting zoo, pony rides, jumping pillow and a pumpkin patch. $12-$15; kids (under 18 mos), free. Thursday & Friday 2 – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 6 p.m. Night Maze open select days. 918-626-4053.

Sept. 26 – Nov. 1
Chester’s Pumpkin Patch at Chester’s Party Barn & Farm (5201 Cimarron Rd, Piedmont) features a petting zoo, giant slide, pony rides (75lb weight limit), hayrides, a mystery maze, paintball target range, barnyard games and more, plus live entertainment on the weekends. Admission includes one pumpkin per paid guest while supplies last. Annual memberships are available. Ages 1-10, $10; ages 11 – 64, $6. Infants 11 months & under and seniors ages 65 & older are free. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m. Monday – Wednesday is reserved for private booking. 373-1595

Sept. 26 – Nov. 4
Orr Family Farm (14400 S Western) features hayrides, a pumpkin patch, corn maze and fun fall activities. Some activities may require additional fees like the Zombie Apocalypse Paintball, offered on select days. $18.95. Kids age 2 and under are free. Packages and season passes available. See website for hours of operation. 799-3276

Sept. 27 – Oct. 31
St. Matthew United Methodist Church Annual Pumpkin Patch (300 N Air Depot, Midwest City) features storytime, garden shop, pumpkins of all sizes and picture opportunities. Proceeds benefit local missions and non-profits. Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 13. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 8 p.m. 732-6831.

Oct. 1 – 30

Fall Festival & Haunted Trail at By His Hand Mini Farm (17801 State Hwy 39, Lexington) features a pumpkin patch, farm animals, hay maze, games, a mystery trail for younger kids and a haunted trailed for older kids and more. Farm, $10; haunted trail, $15. Thursday, noon – 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, noon – midnight.

Oct. 2 – 31

Hay Maze at Brown Ranch (Hwy 77, Ardmore) features a hay maze, campfires for roasting, kiddie cow train, hayrides, hay castle and a kid’s corral with pedal cars, scooters, diggers, playhouses and more. $10; kids (2 & under), free. Thursdays & Fridays, 5 – 9 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 2 – 9 p.m.

Oh My Gourd Pumpkin Patch (9212 E Glencoe Rd, Glencoe) features punkin’ chunkin, hayrides, corn box, punkin’ bowling, a music wall, craft, farm-fresh produce and movies after dark. Masks are encouraged to be worn inside buildings on the farm and groups are asked to maintain social distancing. Prices vary. Thurs.-Sat. 10 a.m. – dusk, Sun. 1 p.m. – dusk.

Oct. 3 – Nov. 1
Pumpkin Patch at Cross Timbers Christmas Tree Farm (2161 Harrison Ave, Harrah) features pumpkins, fall decor, photo opportunities, a fire pit, hot cider, farm animals and a barrel train. Prices vary. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday. 1-6 p.m.

Pumpkin Patch at Kenny Farms (205562 E County Rd 40, Woodward) features pumpkins, a petting farm, corn pit, pony rides, a pumpkin barrel train, pumpkin slingshots, pedal cars, yard games, a bounce house, tractor playset and more. Admission is $10. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 – 6 p.m. Kiddie Days offer half-price admission on Tuesdays & Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 714-3453

Oct. 16 – 25
The Great Pumpkin Patch at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno) features brightly colored murals and mosaics, a pumpkin patch, corn stalk mazes, pumpkin decorating, fall floral displays, scarecrows and more. Free to attend, but participation prices vary. Open daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 445-7080

Oct. 17 – 31
Pumpkin Patch at Gate Church (7700 N Council Rd) features a variety of fall fun including pumpkins, photo areas, games and more. Admission and activities are free. Pumpkins available for purchase (price varies by size). Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m – 7 p.m.; Sunday 2 – 6 p.m. 728-7700, www.thegatechurch.tv

Find more fall fun including fall festivals, free fall events and local Halloween activities on Metro Family Magazine’s  Fall Guides filled with dozens of things to do.

NW 16th Will Be Closed for Festivals on Saturdays

The Plaza District along NW 16 will be closed on Saturdays through October.

Plaza District, a popular arts district west of downtown, will close NW 16 between Indiana and Gatewood avenues each Saturday through October for a weekly 16th Street Saturdays festival.

The street closure, starting this Saturday, is an effort to give space to visitors to socially distance during their time in the Plaza District. With the extra space, the Plaza District will host artist vendors and live music, continuing its mission to provide opportunities for the public to interact with the arts and artists.

“We’ve been working on how to safely bring people to the district for months now, and we think this is a solution where everyone wins,” said Selena Skorman, executive director of the Plaza District. “With the street closed, we can ensure more room for our visitors and do some fun things for our patrons, like providing tables for people to grab carry out from their favorite restaurant and eat outside or hosting artists and performers.”

The first Saturday will include live music, an artist market, the start of Plaza Walls’ Mural Expo, and several specials from Plaza businesses. On the third and fourth Saturdays in September, the Plaza District plans to revive their Solidarity in the Plaza: Black Lives Matter event, and will provide more details on this event in the near future.

16th Street Saturdays is noon-5 p.m. and is located on the 1700 block of NW 16th Street. For more information, please visit plazadistrict.org.

For more Oklahoma event information, go to The Oklahoman.

Denver Zoo to Reopen To General Public on Friday

Families will soon be able to enjoy the animals at the Denver Zoo again after it announced Monday that it would reopen to members on Wednesday, June 10 — and to the general public on Friday, June 12.

The zoo closed on March 17 to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Enhanced safety operations at the zoo include additional cleaning procedures, limited lines and crowd sizes, encouraged social distancing and adherence to strict employee protocols. Guests over age 3 will be required to wear face coverings, as mandated by the City and County of Denver.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome back our community of friends and neighbors who have stood by our side and provided such crucial, meaningful support while we were closed,” said Bert Vescolani, president and CEO of Denver Zoo. “But we remain vigilant in our obligation to protect this community, and have gone through exhaustive planning and preparation so that our guests can feel safe and comfortable while connecting with our 3,000 animals.”

Below are additional measures the Denver Zoo is implementing upon reopening, which "will impact nearly every aspect of the guest experience, from purchasing tickets to navigating the zoo," the zoo said in its announcement. 

• Online ticketing: All tickets must be purchased/reserved online at DenverZoo.org/Visit, including complimentary Member Gratitude Days tickets, and will not be available for purchase at Denver Zoo. Online tickets are required for all guests, including members (free) and children 2 and under (free). 

• Limited, timed admissions: To support safe physical distancing, the zoo will limit the number of visitors per day. Timed tickets with staggered 15-minute entry windows will limit the number of guests entering the Zoo at any one time. Admission lines will also be marked for distancing.

• Sanitation and hand-washing: Restrooms and high-touch areas will be disinfected frequently on a set schedule. Other high-touch surfaces, like tables and chairs, will be cleaned immediately after use. Hand sanitizer and hand-washing stations have been placed throughout campus—including at restrooms, the main zoo entry and exit, the entry and exit doors of all buildings and all dining areas.

• One-way campus: A one-way path around the entire campus has been created to allows guest to view a majority of its animal habitats and gardens while maintaining appropriate physical distancing. A “short cut” highlighting a smaller area for shorter visits will also be available.

• Zoo employees: All zoo employees are required to follow strict protocols in order to maintain the safety of everyone on campus. They will have their temperatures checked prior to starting work, and be required to wear masks and maintain distance of at least 6 feet from guests, volunteers and other employees.

• Guest responsibilities: Guests are asked to do their part in keeping Denver Zoo a safe environment, including staying home if anyone in their family feels sick, maintaining a physical distance of at least 6 feet, washing their hands often, respecting the one-way traffic flow and remaining on approved pathways. All guests ages 3 and over will be required to wear face masks or coverings as mandated by the City and County of Denver.

• Attractions, exhibits and encounters: Regularly scheduled animal demonstrations and encounters have been modified to minimize contact and provide for physical distance.  Buildings, attractions, exhibits and play areas will be closed to keeps guests, staff and animals safe with the exception of our newest attraction, Stingray Cove, opening in mid-June.

• Shopping and dining: The zoo has modified its dining service to comply with all government-mandated COVID-19 safety procedures with regard to preparation and service of all food and beverage items. Its gift shop, Kibongi Market, will remain open with safety modifications, including one-way traffic flow, distanced displays and available hand sanitizer. Guests can also purchase anytime from the zoo’s new online gift shop.

Tickets and other information about the Zoo are available at DenverZoo.org.

For more info and updates, go to 9news.

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End Summer + Start Fall With These Produce Festivals

As the summer cools off, there are few activities more enjoyable than perusing a farmers market.

Freshly-picked apples and even digging up your own potatoes are all yours for the taking here in Colorado. Mark your calendars for all of these produce-filled festivals sprouting late this summer and early fall.

Telluride Mushroom Festival

Where: Telluride

When: August 14-18, Get all the details here.

The Lowdown: There are more uses for mushrooms than just cooking, and this festival will educate you about all of them. These versatile superfoods can be used in your garden, your kitchen and even your medicine cabinet. This year’s theme is “Healing the Mind, Healing the Planet,” and there is a full lineup of talks you can listen to regarding topics like health and wellness, sustainability and taxonomy. You can learn how to identify different types of mushrooms as well, so be prepared to surprise your friends on your next hike. And yes — you’ll learn about magic mushrooms, too.

Palisade Peach Festival

Where: Palisade

When: August 15-18, Get all the details here.

The Lowdown: This festival will make your weekend just peachy. The schedule is packed with everything from a four-course meal in a beautiful field, to a peach eating contest and even a crowning of a peach in the Biggest Peach Contest. All of the peach-inspired cuisines will keep you energized to dance the day away to all the live music at the fest. There’s even a lake where you can paddleboard or kayak — and then you’ll be hungry enough to eat plenty of desserts.

Watermelon Day

Where: Rocky Ford

When: Saturday, August 17, Get all the details here.

The Lowdown: Watermelon Day is part of the Arkansas Valley Fair, which they claim is Colorado’s “oldest continuous Fair” and had been a tradition since 1878. This means it’s time to brush up on some old-fashioned skills so you can compete in the watermelon seed-spitting and watermelon carving contests. There’s also the infamous watermelon pile, which proves extremely hard to miss. The festival is a welcomed blast to the past with its needlework display, horseshoe pitching and bingo all day long. Not intense enough for you? Well, the day ends with a demolition derby, so adrenaline-junkies are sure to get their fill of fun, too.

 San Luis Valley Potato Festival

Where: Monte Vista

When: Saturday, September 7, Get all the details here.

The Lowdown: We already know (and love) the multitude of ways potatoes can be prepared, and San Luis Valley’s festival is a delicious way to showcase them. Vendors always bring their A-game, especially with the likes of Carrie Baird, a past Top Chef contestant in the mix at last year’s festival. There are chef demonstrations throughout the day, so you may even learn how to make your new favorite dish at home. The day is perfect for families with catchy names for events like the Tater Trot 5K and Famous Mashed Potato Dunk. The festival will also host Octane Addictions again this year, which is a high-speed freestyle show featuring dirt bikes, snowmobiles and four-wheelers.

 Chile & Frijoles Festival

Where: Pueblo

When: September 20-22, Get all the details here.

The Lowdown: This year, Pueblo will celebrate its 25th annual Chile & Frijoles Festival. People from all over the nation gather along Union Avenue for this cultural celebration. Green chilies are a staple in Pueblo and are one of the biggest crops grown there. The heat this summer could’ve been a problem for this festival, but farmers have announced it actually had positive effects on the veggies, such as faster growing times. There’ll be live music to enjoy as you taste all of the spicy creations from vendors. Last year there was a jalapeño-eating contest, so check in closer to the event to see what’s new for 2019.

AppleFest

Where: Cedarage

When: October 3- 6, Get all the details here.

The Lowdown: This festival has been well-loved since 1977 and brings in over 20,000 attendees each year. The four-day festival has something for everyone, from a 5K to a Classic Car show, to a Pin-Up Girl Contest, multiple concerts, and of course plenty of meals, like the chili cook-off and pancake breakfast. A fun-packed weekend, and that doesn’t even get us started on the star of the show — apples. Local orchards are vendors at the event, giving you the chance to buy as many delicious apples as you can carry.

Hard Cider Festival

Where: Hotchkiss

When: Saturday, October 26, Get all the details here.

The Lowdown: Produce doesn’t always need to be eaten — you can drink it, too.  Cider-lovers will want to be at Big B’s Delicious Orchard for the festival. No need to worry about driving after a day of drinking cider, either. Camping packages are available (this package pairs well with the all-you-can-drink option). Vendors from cideries all over Colorado showcase their newest and best beverages at the event, so you’re sure to find a new fruity favorite. The fun isn’t just for the adults — there’s also face painting, apple pressing and live music to entertain the whole family.

For more information go to 303Magazine.