Pumpkin Patch Fun!

When the leaves start turning in the fall, it’s time to check out the pumpkin crop and design this year’s jack-o-lantern. ILLINOISouth has many farmer’s markets and orchards selling pumpkins, but some go the extra mile with special events every weekend. Pack up the family and spend a day at a Pumpkin Fest!

WESTERN Braeutigam Orchard

2795 Turkey Hill Ln, Belleville; 618- 233-4059; braeutigamorchards.com, FB

This farm has been in the Braeutigam family since 1831, but the orchard wasn’t planted until 1935 by Rollin Braeutigam. A few years later, his son and daughter-in-law, Lester and Marie, helped him take the fruit to market in St. Louis. However, the market only wanted green fruit, not their beautiful ripe peaches. Fortunately, people here didn’t mind traveling the mile or so to the farm for the sweet, tree-ripened fruit. Today, Braeutigam Orchards is still family-owned and operated by the sixth and seventh generations with the eighth generation in training. And folks still drive down Turkey Hill Lane for fresh produce in season.

Open thru October 31; Monday - Friday: 8am-6pm; Saturday: 8am-5pm;

Sunday: 9am-5pm Pumpkin Festival October 10 & 11

Eckert’s Belleville Farm

951 S. Green Mount Rd., Belleville, 618-233-0513; eckerts.com; FB

The first fruit trees were planted by Henry Eckert in 1890 on what is now the Eckert Belleville Farm. The first retail farm stand was opened on the side of the road by Alvin O. Eckert in 1910. Today, the retail operation includes the Orchards, Country Store, Country Restaurant and Garden Center that are operated by the sixth and seventh generations of the family. Open all year, every season is highlighted by special events for families to enjoy. This fall, the Pumpkin Jamboree has live entertainment, delicious festival foods, children’s activities, pumpkins and much more. Plan to bring the whole family to the Jamboree.

Hours: Saturdays & Sundays in October, 10am – 5pm No admission fee; tickets are sold for the rides

Eckert’s Fun Farm

2719 Eckert Orchard Ln., Millstadt; 618-476-3260; eckerts.com, FB

Not far from Belleville, the Eckert’s Fun Farm offers a wide variety of activities this fall. The corn maze (Friday - Sunday), Jack-O-Lobber pumpkin cannon, carnival rides, petting farm, Haunted Hayride, jumping pillow, 70-foot mineshaft underground slide, Fort Eckert playground, live shows and more are all included in the admission fee. Oh, yes, there are also pumpkins for sale!

Admission: $13/person Friday – Sunday 10am – 5pm; $6/person Wednesdays & Thursdays 9am – 1pm Haunted Hayrides – Friday & Saturday 7 – 10pm Additional Haunted Hayrides $5/ person and may be purchased at the ticket booth

Relleke Farm

473 Sand Prairie Ln, Pontoon Beach; 618-797-6858, rellekepumpkinpatch.com, FB

Relleke Farms was founded in the late 1800’s providing homegrown produce to local markets. More than a century later, they still supply produce in season to markets like Dierbergs as well as at their farm. Every weekend in October, Relleke Farms has a major Pumpkin Festival. Lots of food stands, arts and crafts, hayrides, petting zoo, face painting, camel and pony rides and live music are highlights of the event. The market, where you can buy pumpkins, is open during the week also and sells squash, straw, corn stalks and other fall decorations. School groups can make reservations for weekdays.

Open: Weekends in October; Free admission and parking

Pumpkin Blossom Hill

5483 State Rt. 154, Red Bud; 618-282- 2710; pumpkinblossomhill.com, FB

A visit here includes the Mini Corn Maze, Ball Pit, Tub of Corn, Thomas the Train, Yellow Submarine and the Pumpkin Launcher. No worries; it’s launched by staff. Find a special pumpkin as part of a fun day.

Open: Weekends September 20 – October 25. Free admission and parking; Mechanical Bull ride $1; Kettle Corn $2; Soda/water $1/ea.

CENTRAL Rainbow Ranch

9906 State Rt. 15, Nashville 618-424-7979; rainbowranchzoo.com; FB

Seventeen years ago, Alan Blumhorst opened Rainbow Ranch on his family farm. The barn built in 1850 is still in use. With a menagerie of farm and exotic animals-families, seniors and school groups come to meet the “critters.” Unlike the usual petting zoos, it is obvious here that you are visiting the animals’ homes on a working farm (wear old shoes). Alan will introduce many of them by name (many alliterative). For example, meet Candy the Camel, who gave birth to Cane recently (get it? Candy’s Cane?). Max the Macaw puts on a show, and Ziggy the

Zebra is one of the newest arrivals along with Captain the Kangaroo.

Open: Wednesday – Saturday, August: 9am – 1pm; September & October: 9am – 5pm; Sunday, Noon – 5pm Admission: $10/ person includes a free pumpkin, Free/ children under 1 year old. Groups of 25+ $8/ person (Teachers with classes Free) Call for reservations

EASTERN Grissom’s Lost Creek Orchards

680 IL Route 130, Greenup 217-923-3736; FB

Gary and Pat Grissom have been cultivating their orchard since 1963. They started with apple and peach trees, but now include pumpkins on their 70 acres. Families can walk through the orchard to see the farm animals and produce. Usually, they pick the pumpkins to sell, but this year they are planning a hayrack ride with pick your own pumpkins. Fall activities start in September.

Open: Daily, 9am – 6pm

14144 Old US Highway 50, Lawrenceville; 618-943-2699; FB

Pumpkins are available for sale beginning in mid-September, but the fun meter really heats up on weekends in October. Then, in addition to forays into the field to pick your own special pumpkin, the whole family can wind through the corn, straw or fence mazes, look for treasure at the gold mine, take a hayride,

play pumpkin bowling or holiday golf, shoot a gourd from a slingshot or ride the choo-choo express…and more.

Open: Weekends October 5 & 6 – 26 & 27; Saturday Noon – 5pm; Sunday 1 – 5 pm

Field trips by appointment

Admission: $8/person covers all activities

Possum Patch Farm, Olney

6734 E. Cleaver Ln, Olney, 618-302- 1417; possumpatchfarms.com, FB

Four years ago, this field of pumpkins was planted in an unused paddock. The Shawver family had downsized their horse farm, and their daughter, who is a teacher, suggested it. When the crop came in, word about pumpkin picking spread at her school and beyond.

Every year more attractions are added, and the crowds have grown. Today, hundreds of people come to find the perfect pumpkin, take a scenic hayride, enjoy crafts, pumpkin and face painting, a bounce pad and an outdoor race track. There’s even an indoor arena with animals to pet and a slide and corn pits that keep kids entertained for hours. Stop by the Country Store for goodies and satisfy everyone’s hunger at the Snack Shop (wood-fired pizza’s on the menu this year).

Open: Weekends: September 14 & 15 – October 26 & 27; Saturdays 11am – 6pm; Sundays Noon – 5pm Admission: Adults: $6.50; Children: $4.50. Field trips available during the week by reservation.