Cozy Up to Autumn - Local October Happenings

Fall is officially here and it’s time to cozy up to all the autumn fun happening in Pierce, King and Thurston County. These areas offer a bevy of pumpkin patches on long time family owned farms, who look forward to friends and families returning every generation and there’s only a couple of weeks left to enjoy them & also pick out your favorite pumpkin to carve or just keep as décor.

Knutson Farms Inc, located on the outskirts of Sumner is a favorite of Abodies Kylee Hill & Shelley Heck. You can visit ‘The Patch’, their annual fall experience now through October 31st. Pick pumpkins, meet the farm animals and don’t forget your camera for endless photo ops on this real, working farm. They also have hay rides, farm games, and navigating the corn and hay mazes.

Local food vendors are also scheduled so that no one gets hangry and can also enjoy a hot beverage. Or just hang out with a bag of kettle corn. Open everyday in October from 10am to 6pm.

Tickets are $12/pp Monday through Thursday, and $15/pp Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Kids 2yrs and under are free. Please note that the Cow Train and Hay Ride will only be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

LaTosha Thomas and her family love Picha Farms in Puyallup no through October 31st. This farm established in 1904 has got it all going on! The corn maze is 5-acres and you’re going to want a map for it. Answer all eight of the trivia questions inside of the maze and you get a free mini pumpkin.

The hayride offered gives you an opportunity to check out the whole fall as you sit back and relax. Other farm features include a slingshot, food stands, fall decor that includes a variety of gourds and corn stalks

October 16,17,23,24 and 30th from 12-4 PM (weather permitting) will be the Picha’s Pumpkin Patch Annual Bluegrass Festival. This farm is dog friendly - they just ask that you keep them on a leash at all times.

Jana Ross tipped us off to a couple of farms down south in Olympia, and said both are places that she’s shared memories with her kids. Schilter Family Farm is visible from 1-5 just after the Nisqually Bridge and is in their 25th year of operation.

You can smell the kettle corn and freshly cooked corn on the cob before you even step out of your vehicle. Their Fall Harvest is happening now through October 31st. Enjoy their two pumpkin patches, 5-acre corn maze and family-friendly activities.

Wristband admission includes wagon rides, both corn mazes, baby animal viewing, bounce pillow, children’s playground, and hay pyramid plus NEW zip swings & outdoor trike trek! Try paintball shooting, pumpkin blasters & pony rides for additional charge.

Make a new family tradition by renting a private fire pit for your family & friends and bring your own s’mores supplies or relax & enjoy homemade food & beverages from our Tasty Treats kitchen. This farm offers endless photo opportunities!

Lattin’s Country Cider Mill is a very happening place! They offer wagon rides, pumpkins, lots of adorable farm animals, one screaming goat, and games. But what everyone really shows up for is the fresh pressed cider and donuts. And it’s all that you can smell too, which is lovely because it just gives the most cozy fall feelings. Choose from spiced cider, blackberry cider, raspberry cider, strawberry cider and their traditional apple cider. Get a jug of this stuff and you can make your own version of Starbucks Chai Spiced Apple Cider at home!

Alyssa Ulrich of the Heidi Hurst team shared info on all the best spots that you can bring the pup -- after all, they are a part of the family too!

Mosby Farms in Auburn, located on Black Diamond Road. Support local agriculture by picking your own pumpkins in the patch - they offer many varieties of gourds here that are perfect for getting that Pinterest worthy porch. Grab a wheelbarrow and fill it up! They have a corn maze too and plenty of spots for photos to send to the grandparents.

Maris Farms in Bonney Lake offers daytime activities that includes the corn maze, Feed Mill ropes course, ziplines, jumping pillow, live pig & duck races, wagon ride, kiddie cow train, tube slides, gaga ball, human foosball, trike racing, animal barn, live honey bee hive (say that 3 times fast!), corn room, mechanical bull, wall mazes, catch & release trout fishing and plenty of photo ops.

However if all that feels too tame for you, then plan a visit at night for a trip through their haunted woods. Their website says that the Haunted Woods bring laughs, surprises and great entertainment, but based on the photos on their website, it would make this writer cry hysterically, and therefore is not recommended for those 10 or younger, and also those who don’t enjoy being scared. All this fun can be had now, through October 31st.

Thomasson Family Farms in Enumclaw (but only the pumpkin patch for dogs, not the activity area), offers 10 acres of pumpkins and a very large corn maze. Enjoy interactive fun for everyone like laser tag, corn pit, apple slingshot, tractor rides and more all while enjoying stunning views of Mount Rainier. Check out the goat barn, practice your roping skills in the kids corral, snack on pumpkin donuts while watching a game of life sized foosball, take a lap around the trike track, and just enjoy a general good time.

Fox Hollow Farm in Issaquah is set on the most gorgeous piece of property with the most dreamy farmhouse you ever did see. They offer fur-baby Fridays and dog costumes are encouraged for getting the best photo ops. Enjoy their adventurous trail throughout the farm, through the hay-maze, forests and gardens and along Issaquah Creek, highlighting many aspects of the beautiful Fall seasons changing colors. There’s so much to do here so if you need a break, they offer a food cart and a coffee bar.

You can also enjoy Halloween fun here - on October 30th is the Halloween Carnival. Trick-or-treat with your furry friend and enjoy all of their fall activities.

Don’t forget about the annual Hoot ‘n’ Howl happening now through October 23rd at Northwest Trek! A night walk through the animal paths, lit with spooky lights and multiple trick-or treat stations. There will also be a Freaky Food Science activity at the Kids’ Trek pavilion at 6:15 and 7:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

BONUS - if you’re looking to up your pumpkin carving game Northwest Trek has some templates on their website so your gourd can look like a raccoon, owl or a moose.

The National Park Service has also put together some carving templates too - bats, close encounters of the bison kind, autumn leaves, howling at the full moon, camping, spiders and everyone’s favorite fat bear.

Pumpkin Care Tips - Don’t be a victim to pumpkin rot! Here are some tips on how to make your decorative pumpkins last through the season.

1. Start by washing and scrubbing all dirt/mold off with soap with a sponge

2. Give them a good towel dry

3. Make your own anti-fungal spray using vinegar, water and a drop of peppermint oil. This will prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.