Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Carrigan Farms - Pumpkin Picking in October!

N and I visited Carrigan Farms last week for a pumpkin picking outing. Having visited nearby Patterson Farm several times over the past two years, we were looking for something new. Carrigan Farms did not disappoint. Last month I sent an email request to the farm's website asking for more info about their preschool age group outings. I quickly received a response from none other than Kelly Carrigan. We set up an event in no time flat, and before I knew it, N, myself, and a dozen of our closest buddies were standing in the parking lot of the farm next to the produce stand ready to get to picking pumpkins.

Our outings started with a freestyle romp around the farm stand. The kiddos were all quite interested in the gorgeous orange pumpkins, spotty squash, and other farm novelties. After our group was fully assembled, a super nice farm employee led as on a tour of the honeybee hives located behind the farm stand. After the bees, which N was quite (surprisingly) fascinated with, our group made our way over to our own hay filled trailer to be pulled by a real farm tractor. We took a slow, wonderful ride through the farm over to the pumpkin patch. All of the kiddos (and the moms too) loved the ride. ALL of the kiddos loved it...amazing!

Situated next to the pumpkin patch was a small fenced in enclosure containing many farm animals including pigs, ponies, bunnies (are they farm animals?), and chicks. Kiddos loved all of this.

Then they were off into the pumpkins. Note: Carrigan Farms is a real pumpkin patch. As in, pick the pumpkins right off of the vine. Fun! It is a large patch with great space to run around and select just the right pumpkin to take home. Loved it...

Then back on the hayride for a leisurely trip back to the parking lot where we were met with fresh apple cider. A great trip all around! We will be back next year for sure (and maybe even again this year)!

Cost: $8.50 per person
Length of trip: from when we pulled into the parking lot until when we left ~ 1 1/2 hours
Crowd: we were the only ones there
Need for a reservation? Yes, if you plan on going with a group...however, I believe that the hayride and pumpkin patch are open to the public on certain days...check the website for more info.
Notes: there are no permanent bathrooms at the farms...
Also: the farm has a lovely pond featuring fire pit areas which can be reserved for hot dog / s'mores parties...fun idea!!!

Grade: A

http://www.carriganfarms.com/

No comments:

Post a Comment