The Best Pumpkin Patches in Arizona

What better way to get into the fall spirit than spending an afternoon with your family, and perhaps some friends, picking your own pumpkins for carving? There are several places in and around Phoenix you can go. Don’t forget to grab a cooler and picnic blanket from the garage before heading to any one of the following pumpkin patches.

Vertuccio Farms Fall Festival

October 2nd to November 5th

4011 S. Power Rd.

Mesa, AZ 85212

(480) 882-1482

During the month of October, Vertuccio Farms is hosting a variety of family-friendly fall activities, including a seven-acre corn maze and live entertainment (specific nights only). Admission to the festival includes corn maze, mini golf, mule-pulled wagon rides (Saturdays and Sundays only), mini zip line, and more. The farm will also be selling pumpkins perfect for carving, as well as hay bales, and corn stalks. Visit vertucciofarms.com for hours.

Admission:

Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party

October 5th to the 29th

24610 S. Rittenhouse Rd.

Queen Creek, AZ 85242

(480) 987-3100

Every Thursday through Sunday, families can enjoy hayrides, a petty zoo, corn mazes, and live entertainment. A variety of other activities, shows, and rides are also included in your admission cost. Pumpkins, organic vegetables (you pick), and train rides, as well as chili and an assortment of other food are available for an additional cost. Visit schnepffarms.com for hours. This event has been voted, “The Best Fall Family Event in the Valley” by both Phoenix and New Times magazines.

Admission:

Mother Nature’s Farm Halloween Pumpkin Patch

October 1st to the 31st

1663 E. Baseline Rd.

Gilbert, AZ 85233

(480) 892-5874

Rated Arizona’s best in New Times, the Halloween Pumpkin Patch at Mother Nature’s Farm is stocked daily with fresh pumpkins, ranging from 1 ounce to 500 pounds. After decorating their pumpkin, kids can enjoy the air bounce, a hayride, feeding the animals, and Alexander’s Adventure Maze (included in kid’s admission). Food is available at Maneau’s Munchies. You are also invited to bring your own picnic lunch. Open daily from 9am to 9pm. Visit mothernaturesfarm.com for details.

Admission:

MacDonald’s Ranch Annual Pumpkin Festival

October 1st to the 31st

26540 N. Scottsdale Rd.

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

(480) 585-0239

Take an authentic Western hayride pulled by horses or mules, or train ride to the patch to find the perfect pumpkin for carving and enjoy the petting zoo, gold panning, hay maze, and tour through town. Blazin’ Barbeque will be serving hot food and cold drinks daily, and specialty vendors, including face painters are available on the weekend. Visit macdonaldsranch.com for hours and special discount days.

Admission:

Arizona State Fair

October 6th to the 29th

Open Wednesday through Sunday

1826 W. McDowell Rd.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

(602) 252-6771

While not quite a pumpkin patch, we couldn’t go without mentioning the Arizona State Fair, which attracts more than one million people annually. The fair’s 150-foot Ferris wheel towers over attractions, livestock shows, concerts, fair food, and more fun. Visit azstatefair.com for hours and details on this year’s concert series. This year’s lineup features Snoop Dog, Gin Blossoms, and Rick Springfield. It promises to be fun for the whole family.

Admission:

Spooktacular Halloween Decorations

Halloween Decorations

With jack-o-lanterns lighting the neighborhood, Halloween is that time of year when we will see zombies and ghosts – with a few Superheroes and Princesses thrown in for good measure, coming down the street in search of tricks or treats. Give them a spook by decorating your front yard and entry using the following Halloween decorations ideas. It will make a memorable evening for all!

Here are some ideas we gathered from Pinterest:

#1. Climbing Halloween Skeletons

These guys don’t need to worry about broken bones as they caper from porch to rooftop. Using a few plastic or anatomical skeletons, pose them, and secure them with nearly invisible fishing lines. This bone-chilling decoration idea can withstand the weather and hang out until you’re ready to take them down and store them for next year’s frightening Halloween scene.

#2. Spooktacular Window Silhouettes

Give trick-or-treaters, party goers, and neighbors a fright this Halloween with spooky silhouettes. For this decorating idea, think of your garage door as a blank slate, in which you can place your creations. All you need to do is cut out some spooktacular shapes (i.e., witches, ghosts, bats, spiders, etc.) from black poster board and attach them to your garage door. Decorative orange lighting and appropriate music can top it all off.

#3. DIY Cemetery

Create a spine-tingling cemetery scene, complete with tombstones, skeletons, and other horrifying props, right in your own front yard. You will need slabs of foam, gray and black paint, and readily available props like crypts, skeletons, grim reapers, zombies, etc. to assemble a do-it-yourself graveyard that will surely have your neighbors and guests talking. Tip: Stick with one graveyard theme to make it more believable.

#4. Giant Yard Spider

When it comes to big, scary spiders, this one certainly takes the cake. Spiders truly are capable of stealing the show – and often our breath. To create your very own giant spider, you will need some pipe insulation tubes, elbow joints, black spray paint, and two large black trash bags, among a few other supplies that can be found easily enough around your home. If not, there’s always your local home improvement store.

#5. A Tangled Web

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to decorate your garage door, simply add black webs, extending from one side of your door to the other. Don’t forget to add a few black spiders. This creates an awesome effect that can be seen by the whole neighborhood – and won’t impede the operation of your garage door. If you are experiencing any trouble with your door or opener, it’s best to have it repaired.