Families have their pick of pumpkin events in South Jersey.(Photo: ogergo, Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Want to carve out a fun fall day in South Jersey?
Just follow the pumpkins: Whether your family paints them, uses them for decoration or turns them into pumpkin pie, the best part is picking your own.
Here’s a look at farms to visit for pumpkin picking, and other events centered around South Jersey’s favorite fall harvest.
Farms
Cheyenne’s Road Market, Mount Laurel: It’s a Hogwarts harvest at Cheyenne’s, which designed its pumpkin-picking hayride theme around Harry Potter. The magical outings will be available every weekend in October. 4816 Church Road; 856-983-9361; facebook.com/CheyennesRoadMarket/
Creamy Acres, Mullica Hill: Take a scenic wagon ride around the farm to the pumpkin patch, which features specimens weighing 4 to 25 pounds, priced at 60 cents a pound. The pumpkin patch and kiddie corn maze is available (only as a combo) on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Mondays through Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. Hayrides run on the hour. On Saturdays from 10 to 4 p.m., the farm also offers “Field of Fun” activities featuring pumpkin painting, pedal karts, face painting, Spooky Straw Maze, Tire Mountain and more. Hayrides are $5, wristbands offered on Saturdays cover all activities and are $7 for adults, $12 for children ages 3 to 12. 448 Lincoln Mill Road; 856-223-1669; creamyacres.com
Duffield’s Farm Market, Sewell: Country-style fun starts with pumpkin-picking hayrides weekday afternoons from noon to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Hayrides are $4, or $10 if you pick a pumpkin. The corn maze, Barnyard Express and Barn Bounce are available for an additional fee of $3 each. A bracelet for $18 covers all three activities, plus a hayride and pumpkin. Bracelets are only available on Saturdays and Columbus Day. 280 Chapel Heights Road; 856-589-7090; duffieldsfarm.com
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Emery’s Berry Farm, New Egypt: The hayrides here have so much character, even the farmer’s favorite tractor has a name (it’s Betsy). Pumpkin-picking hayrides to a 1-acre grass field are offered every weekend through the end of October. There are two corn mazes to accommodate all age groups. The Treasure Hunt Corn Maze is perfect for younger children and their parents (who must accompany them), while the 7-acre Who Dun-It Clue Game Corn Maze is a challenge for older kids and adults (see video below for a preview). A free straw bale maze, popular with the little ones, is a bonus. Hayrides are $3, pumpkins are 55 cents a pound, smaller corn maze is $3, large corn maze is $5. 346 Long Swamp Road, 609-758-8514; emerysfarm.com
Grasso Girls Farm Market, West Deptford: The farm hosts wagon rides to its pumpkin patch every weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October. Cost is $2 per person, extra for pumpkins. Rides free for kids under 2 with accompanying adult. The market also will host a fall festival on Oct. 14. 221 Ogden Station Road between Route 45 and Kings Highway. 856-384-7426; grassogirlsfarmmarket.com
Heritage Vineyards, Mullica Hill:The vineyard goes beyond grapes to celebrate its pumpkin harvest. During Harvest Weekends on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October, visitors can take free hayrides to the vineyard’s pumpkin patch. Pumpkins are 60 cents a pound, and apples are $1.99 per pound. Heritage also will host live music and food trucks from noon to 5 p.m. 480 Mullica Hill Road (entrance off Route 322); 856-589-4474; heritagewinenj.com.
Hill Creek Farms, Mullica Hill: The 62-year-old farm is celebrating its first-ever pumpkin patch with free family hayrides every weekend through October. Pay for what you pick from the 2 acres of pumpkins and gourds. Hill Creek will also host two pumpkin festival weekends from Oct. 12-14 and Oct. 19-21.1631 Route 45; 856-223-0028; hillcreekfarms.com
Indian Acres Tree Farm, Medford: Hop aboard a 20-minute wagon ride through the farm, stopping off at the pumpkin patch halfway through. Be sure to take your photo with the giant inflatable pumpkin. Wagon rides are $4 per person for ages 2 and up. Rids run from noon to 4 p.m. hourly (with an extra ride at 4:30 p.m.) Mondays through Thursdays, from noon to 5 p.m. (with an extra ride at 4:30 p.m.) Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Before or after your ride, the kids can check out Indian Acres’ free play area with a hay bale maze, teepees, mini rock wall and more. Other activities, including barrel train rides and face painting, are also available weekends. 111 Tuckerton Road, Medford; 609-953-0087; indianacrestreefarm.com
Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford: The sprawling amusement-packed farm has pumpkin-picking hayrides through Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the hour Mondays through Fridays; and continuously from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Apple-picking hayrides also available through Oct. 14. Cost is $4.50 per rider. On weekdays that are not school holidays, Discovery Barnyard/Animal Farm admission will be offered to all paid riders at half-price (children $4.50, adults $2.25). 133 Church Road, Medford; 609-654-8643; johnsonsfarm.com
Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm, Jobstown: The other location of Johnson’s farm invites visitors to make a day of it with hayrides ($4.50), a 5-acre family-friendly corn maze ($4.50), animal farm ($3) and play area. A wristband for $11.95 includes all activities. Hayrides are offered 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends and Columbus Day. 2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown; 609-353-9000; johnsonslocusthallfarm.com/hours/
Maugeri Farms, Woolwich: Fall fun runs daily from Oct. 6 to 28 with hayrides to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch and continues with barrel train rides, a hay-bale maze, treasure hunt, pumpkin-decorating station and beanbag toss. Hayrides are $3 per person for ages 2 and up; barrel train is $3 and admission to all other activities is $3. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 1991 Oldmans Creek Road; 856-294-9900; maugerifarms.com
Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill: You’ll want to keep a lookout for fun, silly and even scary surprises along the hayride path to the pumpkin patch. Rides also include a drink of apple cider. Mood’s offers hayrides hourly from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, and every half-hour from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and throughout Columbus weekend (Oct. 5 to 8). moodsfarmmarket.com
Hay, it’s pumpkin season! Find pick-your-own farms in South Jersey. (Photo: IrisImages, Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Russo’s Fruit & Vegetable Farm, Tabernacle: Take a tractor-pulled wagon ride to pick pumpkins and apples Fridays through Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last wagon leaves at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Last wagon leaves at 5 p.m. Corn maze is included in $3.50 fee for ride. Pumpkins are 49 cents a pound, apples are $1.39 a pound. 299 Flyatt Road; 609-268-0239; russosfruitandveg.com
Springdale Farms, Cherry Hill: Pumpkin season is a busy time at the farm, so hayrides run continuously on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The farm’s popular corn maze, open through Nov. 4, has a deep-sea adventure theme. Maze hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and Oct. 5 and 12 are Flashlight Fridays. Cost for corn maze is $8.50 for ages 4 to 12; $10 for ages 13-plus. Guests 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. 1638 South Springdale Road; 856-424-8674; springdalefarms.com/
Carve a pumpkin, make a pie, or head to the pumpkin patch on Oct. 26 to celebrate National Pumpkin Day. Video by Luann Manderville
Wochit
Events
Blackwood Pumpkin Festival: Oct. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Mainstage Center for the Arts invites all — even dogs — to its well-attended annual event. The Puppy Parade will return after being a wildly popular addition to last year’s festival. Guests on two legs, meanwhile, can enjoy food, games, moon bounces, live music and entertainment, rides, a pumpkin-carving contest, talent contest, face painting, pumpkin painting, scarecrow building and more than 200 vendors. There’s no admission, but there are fees for individual activities. Parking is free, and a shuttle will run from Highland High School. Rain date is Oct. 14. Events will all take place around Mainstage’s Academy Hall, 27 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood; 856-302-6485; www.mainstage.org
Fall Festival at the JCC Camps at Medford: Oct. 7, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Who says summer camp fun has to end in the summer? The whole family can take part in outdoor activities such as paddle boating and kayaking, and try out the climbing boulder and zip line, There is plenty of fall-themed fun too, such as pumpkin painting, along with music, face painting, mini golf, inflatables, vendors, food trucks and more. Food will be available for purchase with kosher options. Visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable kosher food item for the Jewish Family and Children Services food pantry. Admission cost is $20 per vehicle. 400 Tuckerton Road, Medford; katzjcc.org/fallfest.
Pumpkin Pawlooza: Oct. 6 and 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual kids’ event boasts two locations and lots of activities. At Paws Discovery Farm in Mount Laurel, kids can delight in pony rides from noon to 3 p.m., a pumpkin patch, hayrides and a petting zoo with a special obstacle course Saturday only from Kid Fit. The Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill hosts a moon bounce provided by J-Dogs, as well as fall crafts. A pass is good for two-day admission to the events and actitvities. Passes are $30 each, $20 for Discovery Museum members. Paws Discovery Farm, 1105 Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road, Mount Laurel; pawsdiscoveryfarm.com; and Garden State Discovery Museum, 2040 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill; discoverymuseum.com.
Hill Creek Farms Pumpkin Festival: Oct. 12-14 and Oct. 19-21, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A carnival atmosphere takes over the farm for two weekends in October. The South Jersey Engine Club sets up an antique tractor show as a bonus on Oct. 13 and 14. There will be free face-painting, playground activities hayrides and wine tastings from Auburn Winery, live music and a variety of other activities available for a fee. Additional fun includes a pumpkin painting station ($10, including supplies), barrel train rides for kids ($4 e), moon bounce ($4). Food for sale from Rastell Market Fresh; buy sticks and marshmallows to enjoy at the bonfire. 1631 Route 45; 856-223-0028; hillcreekfarms.com
Autumn in Moorestown: Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Talk about something for everyone: This business association-sponsored event brings crafts, cruise and brews to town. Enjoy the day by checking out a juried arts and crafts fair, antique and classic cars, scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, entertainment and food. Main Street, moorestownbusiness.com
Berlin Fall Fest: Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The eighth annual event, hosted by the Greater Berlin Business & Professional Association, will move most of its activities to the Berlin Boro County Park area this year. Kids’ activities will include a giant slide, pumpkin painting and balloon art. A car show and Halloween tour will keep visitors of all ages busy. Bands will play all day, and dog lovers will find the Mutt Strut pretty entertaining too. Craft vendors, food trucks and a beer garden round out the autumn activities. Rain date is Oct. 14. Berlin Park and West Broad Avenue; [email protected]; greaterberlinbusiness.org/
Deptford Township Fall Festival: Oct. 13, 2 to 8 p.m. There will be food trucks, live music, and a beer and wine garden — plus many activities that expressly celebrate fall. Children can play games, pick pumpkins and hop aboard hayrides. Price for children’s hayride, pumpkin, treat bag, juice and apple cider doughnut is $5 per child but free to kids from Deptford (ID required). Hayrides run from 2 to 6 p.m., and two balloon artists will be available from 2 to 8 p.m. Park for free at the Deptford Township Recreation Center, 52 Montague Lane, and take a shuttle starting at 1:30 p.m. Handicap parking will be available on Andaloro Way. Andaloro Farm, 138 Andaloro Way; deptford-nj.org
Mum Madness & Pumpkin Parade: Oct. 13 and 14, 1 to 4 p.m. The Camden Children’s Garden hosts this colorful special event each year. Admission is free for members and children under 1; $9 for adults and child non-members. Enjoy the garden’s mums and concessions including pumpkin bread, hot chocolate and hot cider. Then learn about pumpkins and do a little pumpkin painting (for an additional fee). .3 Riverside Drive, Camden; 856-365-8733; [email protected].
Grasso Girls Annual Fall Festival: Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The farm market turns into a country carnival for the day. Admission is $5 per person (kids under 2 get in free) and includes a hayride to the pumpkin patch, face painting, carnival games and moon bounce. Additional cost for pumpkins in the pumpkin patch. Goodies for sale from Jerry’s Food Truck and Mister Softee. 221 Ogden Station Road, West Deptford; 856-384-7426; grassogirlsfarmmarket.com
McNaughton’s Garden Center Harvest Festival: Oct. 20, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The garden center will have plenty of pumpkins for kids to paint. The little ones also can get their faces painted and hop on a moon bounce. And bakers are invited to participate in a harvest pie bake-off. Those who want to be crafty outside the kitchen can take a fall planter workshop at 11 a.m. (workshop is $20 per person). 351 Kresson Road; 856-429-6745; mcnaughtonsgardens.com
Brooklawn Fall Festival: Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to dusk. The borough packs in a season’s worth of fun with food trucks, live music, craft vendors, a kid zone with bounce house, pumpkin painting and balloon artists; hayrides, circus acts, a dessert competition and theater performances. There also will be K-9 demos and a movie at dusk. Check out Eight & Sand Brewery’s beer garden, wine from Villari Vineyards and Scafide Gelato’s seasonal flavors such as pumpkin pie gelato, apple cider sorbetto and lemon sorbetto. Bus shuttles from the parking area are free. Brooklawn Waterfront, Timber Boulevard, facebook.com/brooklawnnj/
A family chooses a pumpkin at Johnson’s Corner Farm in Medford. Johnson’s is just one of a number of South Jersey farms offering pick-your-own pumpkins. (Photo: File photo)
Burlington County Historical Society: The Annual Children’s History Center Harvest Fest will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 27. Aside from pumpkin painting, activities include crafts, bobbing for apples and making scarecrows. Maybe the scarecrows will scare off the Jersey Devil, who is expected to make an appearance. Kids are welcome to wear costumes.
Merchantville Pumpkin Patch: Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Merchantville School PTA sponsors this fundraiser as part of the town’s “Monsterville” activities. Festive fun includes pumpkin decorating, carnival-style games, face painting, fall treats, a costume parade and contests for kids. Cost for a pumpkin to decorate is $6 (maximum of 20 per family) and includes all supplies. Rain date is Oct. 28. Merchantville Bike Path at Centre Street gazebo in the middle of town; facebook.com/events/553363531759483/
Barclay Farm Civic Association Halloween Festival: Oct. 27, noon to 2:30 p.m. Just a few days before Halloween, this community event is an opportunity to dress up the kids and the pets for family fun. Go for free pumpkins, face painting, crafts, a moon bounce, balloon animals, a Cherry Hill Police K-9 demonstration, Bowman School of Dance demonstration and more. Treat bags are provided, but please help by bringing nut-free treats. Barclay Farmstead, 209 Barclay Lane, Cherry Hill; barclayfarmcivicassociation.org
Voorhees Township Halloween Festival: Oct. 28, 1 to 4 p.m. Celebrate all the highlights of fall and Halloween at this free festival. Kids can dress up and participate in a costume parade, then take advantage of treats such as bounce houses, face painting and balloon art. A pumpkin patch, hayrides and teal pumpkin (aka allergy-safe) table round out the fun. Voorhees Town Center; 856-429-7174; voorheesnj.com/
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