Celebrate fall with Pumpkin Weekends

Blackberry Farm will celebrate the fall season throughout the month of October with its popular Pumpkin Weekends.

Each weekend - and Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 12, - Blackberry Farm will be decorated in the spirit of pumpkin season. A picnic area will have pumpkins for purchase and an assortment of decorating materials will be provided.

Carousel rides, hay wagon rides, pony rides, paddle boats, a pedal tractor course and tours on the "Pumpkin Train" are part of each weekend's festivities, along with the historic museums and interactive farm animal areas.

Park hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. Regular admission rates apply: $5 for adult Fox Valley Park District residents, $4.50 for children and senior residents; $8 for other adults and $7 for other children and seniors.

New this year is the Corn Crib - akin to a sandbox full of corn - where children can roll and wriggle, farm-style. Also, Lake Gregory will host the Pumpkin Paddle and be converted into a watery pumpkin patch, where guests can ride a paddle boat and use nets to scoop floating pumpkins for carving.

Another popular attraction is the new Adventure Playground, an innovative play area featuring climbing decks, slides, ropes and catwalk-style bridges connecting an array of playhouses on multiple levels, and a 70-foot zip line.

"Pumpkin Weekends originated as a fall festival day, but it was so popular that we expanded it to include every weekend," said Sandie Gilmer, facility supervisor at Blackberry Farm. "This is such a fun time of year that we want to make the season last just a little longer."

Other attractions include an official pumpkin carver on-site Saturday, Oct. 10; an appearance by the Pumpkin Princess Saturday, Oct. 17; and the annual Trick-or-Treat Walk and Costume Contest Saturday, Oct. 24.

For information on Pumpkin Weekends, call (630) 892-1550 or visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.