Halloween Pumpkins, Mazes, and Camels
You're running out of time for that trip to the country to find the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween. No one should feel obligated to go quite as far as Ric Griffith, the West Virginia man featured in a little write-up in the Post yesterday (this picture is not to be believed).
If you want just a pumpkin or two, here are some suggestions for places other than the local supermarket, if you're willing to drive or can bully someone else into taking you. Besides, why shouldn't picking a pumpkin be part of the total autumn experience, like drinking cider, taking a hayride, getting lost in a cornfield maze, or riding a camel? That's right, the ever-present, traditional symbol of autumn, a camel. Consult the individual pumpkin patch Web sites linked for a full listing of activities, as well as hours of operation and cost information.
>> For people who get uneasy traveling too far outside the Beltway, a number of relatively close options exist. Burke Nursery and Garden Centre in Burke, Va., has all the hayrides, kids' activities, and farm animals of the countryside, just a scant 18 miles from D.C.
>> Centreville, Va.'s Cox Farms is popular, with good reason — slides, tunnels, mazes, live entertainment, rope swings, and hayrides attract families from all over the Washington region. This Sunday only (October 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), you can take in Master Pumpkin Carver Roger Holtorf as he slices and dices pumpkins in a live carving demonstration. Learn from the master, and then do attempt these stunts at home.
>> Butler's Orchard in Germantown, Md., not only features a pick-your-own-pumpkin patch, but it also has hand-dipped caramel apples and a plethora of kids activities. This weekend only (October 21 and 22), pay a little extra to watch a pumpkin be shot out of the world-famous Pumpkin Cannon.
>> It's time to stop pretending and give way to your inner geek. You know that cornfield mazes are cool. And they're even cooler at night, by flashlight (check individual websites for time and cost information). The big kahuna among corn mazes is at Winterbrook Farms in Thurmont, Md. — this year, the largest maze in Maryland has a Civil War theme. Naturally.
>> Bowles Farms in Clements, Md., features a 15-acre corn maze with the theme "Save the Bay." Look for the giant Sponge Bob sign, which is a big hit with the under-five crowd. On October 29 only (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), you can get into the maze free if you're wearing a Halloween costume.
>> Over in Virginia, Temple Hall Farm Regional Park in Leesburg has a maze dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement (pictured at left) and also features a corn cannon and a cow train. No, we don't know what that is.
>> Planning a lot of baking? Want to decorate for Halloween à la Martha Stewart? Belvedere Plantation in Fredericksburg, Va., is offering all-you-can-carry pumpkins for $26.99 (in addition to a 100-foot Pumpkin Mountain slide for anyone over 5 years old).
>> Pig race, anyone? Then head out to Great Country Farms in Bluemont, Va. In addition to the Oinktucky Derby Pig Races every weekend in October (no wagering, please), they will have their own Pumpkin Cannon this weekend (October 21 and 22), as well as a special Glow Night (October 28), with over 2,000 Jack-o-lanterns glowing in the field.
>> Leesburg Animal Park's annual Pumpkinville festival gets you into the biggest animal petting zoo in the area, as well as your pick of the pumpkin patch, cider and apples to snack on, and that all-important camel ride.
Amadie Hart contributed to this post.