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Each year, my neighbor throws an awesome pumpkin carving party. She lines her kitchen floor with plastic, plunks down the pumpkins, and everyone goes to town. The results are always fabulous—a fairy house, a ghoulish face, a castle.
While the carving (and the roasted seeds!) are a big part of the fun, picking the perfect pumpkin is just as important, and requires forethought, a pair of boots, and a little inspiration.
Here is a list of pumpkin patches around Olympia to hopefully get that inspiration flowing – places with corn mazes and corn cannons, places with apple cider and apple launchers, places with farm animals and tractor rides. And of course, all of these places have plentiful pumpkin patches.
1. Rutledge Corn Maze
As its name suggests, Rutledge Corn Maze is well known for its maze – one that changes every year. From Marshawn Lynch to Twilight, the theme always delights. This year, the aerial view shows a pair of German Shepherds. During the day, lots of kid-friendly activities take place, such as story time with Spookley the Square Pumpkin, corn hole, and swings. For those looking to be spooked, the haunted maze awaits its victims. Zombie Paintball Apocalypse takes the mazes to another level, where hunting zombies isn’t just for television.
The Rutledge Corn Maze pumpkin patch open daily through October 31 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Check website for maze hours.
302 93rd Ave. SE, Olympia
360-357-3700
2. Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm
Is it the sweet and sticky apple fritters and award-winning cider? Is it the animal train, wagon rides, and fields of perfect pumpkins? Maybe it’s all the cute animals. Whatever it is, Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm has the formula for fall fun down to a science, and they have for years. Nearly 60 years old, the farm prides itself on community engagement, including donating leftover apple fritters to surrounding fire stations as a thank you to those who serve.
Open Monday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. plus Sundays 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
9402 Rich Road SE, Olympia
360-491-7328
3. Schilter Family Farm
The theme of Schilter Family Farm’s corn maze this year honors one of the Seattle Mariner’s all-time great outfielders, Ken Griffey, Jr. You can wear #24 and show your Griffey pride while you get lost in the maze. A true kid-friendly farm, Schilter has all the goodies of farm animals and hay bales, as well as a big sand play table and playground. Oh, and did I mention? They also have a corn cannon.
Open daily through October 31 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (closing at 4:00 p.m. on 10/31)
141 Nisqually Cutoff Road SE, Olympia
360-459-4023
4. Hunter Family Farm
Pillow jumps, camel rides and ATV adventures are part of the fun at Hunter Family Farm. Other features include a carousel, a pumpkin sling shot, kiddie trains, and a just-bumpy-enough tractor ride to the pumpkin patch.
Open daily through October 31 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
7413 Yelm Highway SE in Olympia
360-456-0466
Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County. The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, visit our complete event calendar.
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