These Topeka-area farms have pumpkin patches, corn mazes, petting zoos, zip lines and more
Looking for the best places in and around Topeka to get your fix on all things fall? A cornucopia of fun activities, centered around pumpkin picking, awaits visitors to area pumpkin patches.
”It’s more like a fall experience, less than a pumpkin patch,” said Jeanna Schlink, a mother of two who is in-the-know when it comes to recommending activities that interest young minds.
Here are six local patches sure to please fall lovers of all ages.
Berry Hill UPick Farm
This place has really blossomed since its creation four years ago. In addition to “upick” pumpkins and hayrack rides, there is a 3-acre corn maze, human hamster wheels, duck races, pumpkin bowling, a 360-degree teeter totter and more.
Schlink visited the farm last year and plans another trip this year with her daughters, ages 5 and 9. She offered a glowing review.
“That family (Jay Shively and his family) has done so much and put in so much time and effort — and probably money, to provide a nice wholesome place for the community to experience,” she said. “So, I really enjoyed it, and I really appreciate that they allow for the community to come and experience their pumpkin patch and all the other kinds of events that they have.”
Info: Berry Hill UPick Farm, 5840 S.E. Croco Road, Berryton, is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday through Oct. 29. Admission is $5 per person. Ages 2 and younger are free. Pumpkins are 75 cents a pound.
Insane Paine Produce
This market, essentially a shack on fertile farmland in the Oakland area, has lots of pumpkins but specializes in tomatoes. It also offers cucumbers, zucchini, cantaloupe, peaches from Colorado, watermelons and mums from a vendor in Oskaloosa, and coxcomb flowers.
The coxcombs are “huge, and they're velvety,” said Pam Manning, who helps run the market. “We have a grade-school teacher that comes out and buys them every year because the kids say they look like brains, which they do. They're a very old-fashioned flower.
"They dry beautifully, and you don't even have to hang them upside down. They drop a lot of seeds, and you can take those and plant them in the spring.”
The produce at this market is prepicked, and a teenager is on hand to load items for tips. Insane Paine has no shortage of pumpkins.
“A lot of pumpkin fields didn't make it through the summer because of the weather,” said Manning. “We survived because (owner Luke Paine) and his dad Mark work the farm and they irrigate the pumpkins.”
A special Halloween-themed market will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15.
Info: Insane Paine Produce 3227 N.E. Seward Ave., Topeka, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, and 4 to 6 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays while supplies last. There is no admission, but pumpkins will cost between $1 and $30, depending on the size.
The Great Pumpkin Farm
This is truly a rural family farm which just happens to have a pumpkin patch, a corn maze and many other fun outdoor activities. A white barn adorned with a large American flag houses piglets, rabbits, goats, a horse and two donkeys. Ducks also roam the lawn, paying no mind to an old blind dog trying to herd them.
For a few extra dollars, one can shoot paint balls or walnuts at one of its two target practicing areas.
The corn pit is a big favorite.
“I had some grandparents there with their two little grandchildren,” said owner Kelly Gay. “I thought the little boy was playing there.”
Another peek revealed the child had fallen asleep.
Info: The Great Pumpkin Farm, 14805 190th Road, Mayetta, is open 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until Oct. 31. Admission is $11 for children and $6 for adults. Ages 2 and younger are free.
Rees Fruit Farm
Rees Fruit Farm expects to have its pumpkins available for harvesting by Sunday. There will be a smaller crop available.
“Pumpkins don't bloom when it gets really hot,” said Rex Rees, the market’s owner. “If you look back, that was about the time they should have been blooming with the 14 days or whatever it was over 100 degrees.”
Apples and apple cider will be abundantly available. Rees manufactures 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of cider every year. The farm got its start in 1901 by Rees’ grandfather. Apple varieties include Red and Gold Delicious, Jonathon, Gala, Honey Crisp and Granny Smith.
The ambience at Rees Fruit Farm is lower key than most of his competitors. A concession stand serves cider doughnuts, apple-flavored ice cream and apple slushes. Bonfires and a disc jockey round out the entertainment Saturday afternoons and evenings, and afternoons on Sunday.
Info: Rees Fruit Farm, 2476 K-4 highway, Topeka, is open year-round. Its current hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. In October, Rees will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays.
Little Munchkins Pumpkin Patch
Already open and on weekends, this patch is geared toward youngsters, with tube sliding, a giant open-air slide, zip lines, a shooting gallery, corn maze, snack shack, petting zoo, pumpkin patch smores station and more.
Info: Little Munchkins Pumpkin Patch, 29583 Low Water N. Road, Alma, is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. In October, it will extend its hours to include 1-5 p.m. Fridays through Oct. 29. Admission for children ages 2-16 years is $10, adults are $5 and ages younger than 2 are free.
Garry’s Berries
Garry’s Berries, the patch that calls itself the happiest fall festival in Kansas, is another patch that Schlink frequents with her family. They usually travel with a group which has been going there for years.
“I think for even all different age groups that you literally could spend all day at that property,” she said.
Garry’s has turkey legs, grilled sweet corn, funnel cakes, giant pretzels, lemonade, Starbuck’s coffee (including pumpkin latte), apple cider slushes and more.
Info: Garry’s Berries, 5991 17th St., Grantville, will begin its Fall Festival season Friday. Hours will be 5-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 29. A single-day pass, $16.95, is required for ages 3 and older. A season pass is $40.95.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka-area farms offer pumpkin patches, mazes, petting zoos and more
