Like trick-or-treating and sipping hot apple cider, carving pumpkins is a tradition embraced by many this time of year. Whether you choose to carve a fearsome jack-o’-lantern or sculpt a happier character, obtaining the right materials is crucial.
To begin: Where does one find the perfect pumpkin?
There’s always the grocery store. But if you’re in a more festive, adventurous mood, there are several local options. You can visit a commercial pumpkin patch, for one. Or you can take a train ride, pick up a pumpkin and meet some famous comic-strip characters in the process.
The ‘most sincere’ way to go
Embarking on a train ride to a festive pumpkin patch alongside Snoopy is a one option.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has begun trips on The Great Pumpkin Patch Express, during which families are greeted by Charlie Brown and other members of the Peanuts gang. It’s the final weekend, and there are three train departures Saturday and two Sunday. Prices vary between $24 and $34 for children and $34 and $42 for adults, depending on seating.
Upon rolling into the “most sincere pumpkin patch,” guests are presented with a wide variety of activities. Kids can run through a maze to find the perfect pumpkin.
Entertainment includes live music, interactive games, bounce houses, trick-or-treating and temporary tattoos – and a pumpkin carving contest – among other scheduled events.
‘Family tradition’ at the Rock
Chimney Rock Farms, between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs on the Piedra River, is hosting pumpkin-patch activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays before Halloween. Admission into the farm is free.
Events include a wagon ride, chili roasting, “press your own apple cider,” a kids costume contest, family portraits and feeding the farm pets, consisting of sheep, goats and llamas.
Matt Brewer, operations director for the farm, said some families have been a part of the event for seven or more years.
“It’s a family tradition in this area,” he said.
Additionally, the farm is open during the week, and guests can purchase organic produce and assortments of jams. School groups often visit weekdays.
Adverse weather conditions did, however, cause a setback in setting up the patch. Hail caused some minor damage to some of the pumpkins, Brewer said. The patch pumpkins were brought in from Delta, but the farm does grow organic pie pumpkins for eating.
South to Sutherland
Another pumpkin option is to go south to Sutherland Farms in Aztec, where you’ll find not only pumpkins, but a corn maze and a pit of kernels you actually can dive into.
Sutherland is a family-owned working produce farm and has become renowned for its annual Pumpkin Festival during October weekends. This is the 15th year.
Some festival activities include face painting, hay rides, navigating through a corn maze, a barrel train, a cow train, a corn pit and duck races.
Guests can take a hay ride right into the pumpkin patch and select a lustrous orange gourd to take home and carve.
D’rese Sutherland, who helps run the farm, said she is excited to host the yearly happening.
“All our events are centered around family,” she said.
This time of year is particularly beautiful, and Sutherland said she enjoys watching families partake in the various activities with their children and grandchildren.
Families also are allowed to feed and pet an array of farm animals. Some of the furry critters found on the farm include rabbits, goats, chickens and a donkey named Abigail.
Sutherland and Chimney Rock emphasized the tradition and the family atmosphere of their events.
“Enjoy the farm, come meet your farmer,” said Chimney Rock’s Brewer. “Come talk to us. It’s a great time.”
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
If you go
Chimney Rock Farms: Chimney Rock offers weekend events, as well as pumpkins, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October. Admission is free. Events include draft horse wagon rides, costume contests, fresh apple cider, roasted chiles and more. For more information, visit www.chimneyrockfarms.com or call (970) 731-1700.
Sutherland Farms: Sutherland hosts a pumpkin festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October weekends. Admission is $5 for kids 12 and older; kids younger than 12 are free. There is a corn maze, corn pit, hayride and duck races. Sutherland is located at 745 Road 2900 in Aztec. Visit www.sutherlandfarms.net or call (505) 334-3578 for more information.
Great Pumpkin Patch Express: The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is running trains to a pumpkin patch north of town this weekend. The trips are about 30 minutes each way, and the whole journey lasts about 2½ hours. Trains leave at 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, and 10 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Visit www.durangotrain.com or call (888) 872-4607 for more information. or reservations.
