Pumpkin Weekends fill October with fall fun
Blackberry Farm celebrates the fall season throughout October with its popular Pumpkin Weekends beginning Saturday, Oct 1.
Each weekend - and Columbus Day on Monday, Oct. 10, - Blackberry Farm is decorated in the spirit of pumpkin season. A picnic area has pumpkins for sale, and an assortment of decorating materials are provided. Park hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October and Monday, Oct. 10, at 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora.
Carousel rides, hay wagon rides, pony rides, paddle boats, Little Farmer's Junction (for ages 6 and younger) and tours on the Pumpkin Train are part of each weekend's festivities, along with the historic museums and interactive farm animal areas.
New this year is the Victorian Halloween Party that traces back to the origins of Halloween with crafts, games and a fortuneteller. Hosted in the Huntoon House, it's a ghoulish balance of scary and fun.
Other attractions include the Corn Crib - similar to a large sandbox, but filled with corn - where children can roll and wriggle, farm style. The Adventure Playground is 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.
Special attractions are featured throughout the month:
• Sunday, Oct. 2: The Great Boodini, who performs a variety show of magic, juggling, music and more;
• Saturday, Oct. 8: Professional pumpkin carver;
• Saturday, Oct. 15: Meet-and-greet with Ariel and Belle;
• Saturday, Oct. 22: Trick-or-treating, costume contest and parade; and
• Saturday, Oct. 29: Pumpkin Princess.
"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."
Regular admission rates apply: $4.50 for children and seniors and $5 for adults for Fox Valley Park District residents; $7 for other children and seniors and $8 for other adults.
For information, call (630) 892-1550 or visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
If you go
What: Pumpkin Weekends
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October and Monday, Oct. 10
Where: Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora
Admission: $4.50 children and seniors, $5 adults for residents; $7 other children and seniors, $8 other adults
Info: (630) 892-1552 or foxvalleyparkdistrict.org