Pumpkin patches kick off fall season
Oct. 1—With fall finally upon us, St. Joseph families can get in the spirit of the new season with several family-friendly farms in the area.
Schweizer Orchards, located at 5455 SE State Route Ff, opened last Saturday and has already been busy entertaining crowds with weekday field trips for students.
"We've already started doing field trips during the week here at the orchard, and it's just a constant go," said Stacy Furbee, manager at Schweizer Orchards. "Weekends are especially busy, but business has been great and we can tell everybody is ready for the fall weather."
With the orchard officially open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, families can enjoy various fall activities throughout the season.
"There's plenty of things for all age groups here," Furbee said. "We do wagon rides, there's a corn maze, apple cannons and there's pick your own popcorn as well. People are always excited about our huge prize-winner pumpkins that sometimes takes two people to carry because they can get pretty big in size."
Weston Red Barn Farm, located at 16300 Wilkerson Road in Weston, Missouri, is also looking to bring enjoyment to families. The farm opened for the fall season last weekend and is offering a variety of things to the community, including train rides, hayrides and barbecue every Saturday and Sunday.
"We're an educational zone for kids," said Steve Frey, co-owner of Red Barn Farm. "So, we've got a barnyard they can explore with everything from large horses to baby chicks and our grain train ride is a fun informational ride where families can learn about the history of the farm and the land in this area."
The Red Barn Farm wants families to walk away with memories, which is why they are also offering pictures at the farm this year.
"We've got a really good photographer this year," Frey said. "We set up a nice area where families can get their pictures taken for less than half of what it would normally cost. Families are going to enjoy this year when they come out."
Western Red Barn Farm is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Crockett Family Farms, located at 7430 SW State Route KK in Rushville, Missouri, will also be open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the entire month of October, offering a selection of pumpkins as well as farm animals for viewing.
Schweizer Orchards, Weston Red Barn Farm and Crockett Family Farms all have free admission and will remain open until the end of the month for the fall season.
Jenna Wilson can be reached at jenna.wilson@newspressnow.com.
