Pumpkin-Picking Patches Close To Clearwater

CLEARWATER, FL — Fall officially started weeks ago in the Clearwater area, and that means it's time to start planning your family’s annual trip to the country to find the best pumpkins.

Paying a visit to a local pumpkin patch is a great opportunity to pick out the perfect Halloween jack-o'-lantern. It also is a way for families to spend a fun-filled day together as most fields offer free activities such as hayrides, corn mazes and games for the kids.

It’s best to call ahead to the field or check its website for coronavirus-related guidelines and hours of operation.

Below are some of the top pumpkin fields near Clearwater to visit in 2021:

Heritage Pumpkin Patch

Heritage United Methodist Church in Clearwater, 2680 Landmark Drive, Clearwater, will be open through Oct. 31 with proceeds going to the student ministry fund for mission trips in the summer.

On Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the children's ministry will host Pumpkin Palooza with pumpkin games, corn hole, stories and a pumpkin-decorating station. Contact Margot Savage for more information.

Gallagher's Pumpkin Patch

Gallagher's Pumpkins and Trees, 7401 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, has opened its pumpkin patch.

Before the Christmas trees arrive, the 30-year-old family business fills its lot with pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, corn stalks and other harvest season decorations.

Gallagher's offers pumpkins daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. along with photo ops, kids' games and snow cones. While you're there, place your Christmas tree order.

Raprager Family Farm Pumpkin Festival

Raprager Family Farm, 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa, will host its annual Fall Pumpkin Festival through Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

Activities include live music, hayrides, farm animals, an 80-foot bounce pillow, a 40-foot hay chute slide, a corn pit, a huge play fort, a greenhouse display, gem mining, pony rides, local food and craft vendors, Raprager's Sweet Shop's fudge and cinnamon-glazed roasted nuts, a haunted barn and a scarecrow contest in which the winner and runner-up will receive $500 and $250.

The cost is $12.50 with ages 2 and younger admitted for free.

Click here to purchase tickets.

14th Annual Fall Festival Fundraiser

HorsePower for Kids, 8005 S. Race Track Road, Tampa, will host its 14th annual fall festival fundraiser every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 31.

It includes pony rides, hayrides, farm animals, a bounce house, games, a playground, live music and train rides.

There will be a pumpkin patch with pumpkins to purchase and food vendors.

The cost is $12 for adults and children. Babies age 12 months and under are admitted for free.

Click here for details.

Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival

Hunsader Farms, 5500 County Road 675 Bradenton, will host its 30th annual Pumpkin Festival Oct. 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It will include live music and shows, a pumpkin patch, craft show, charity pumpkin games, Pioneer Trades Village, hayrides, pony rides, a corn maze, scarecrow displays, homemade ice cream, farm-roasted sweet corn, pumpkin pie, a rock-climbing wall, a power jump, a petting zoo, barn yard playground, arm painting, children's and big train rides, a juggler, fresh produce and a butterfly experience.

Admission is $12 and parking is $5. Children 10 and under are admitted for free. There's an additional cost for train rides and the corn maze.

Click here for vendor information.

17th Annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival

The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will present its 17th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at a new location, Tampa Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, Lutz.

Admission is $5 with kids under 12 admitted for free.

There will be three community stages, live entertainment, a pumpkin patch, trunk or treat, pet costume contest, Lil Miss and Mr. Pumpkin Pageant, more than 50 crafters, photo opps, a petting zoo and "the World's Largest Food Truck Rally" with more than 60 national food trucks and local favorites.

Vendors and sponsors can call 727-674-1464 or email drew@floridapenguinproductions.com to get involved.

Businesses can register for the trunk or treat or have a marketing booth all weekend.

Food trucks must contact Generation Food Truck at Gftworldslargestftr@gmail.com.

Pageant participants must preregister by contacting Drew@floridapenguinproductions.com

The Pumpkin Patch Express

The Pumpkin Patch Express departs from the Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St., East Parrish, for a 2 1/2-hour trip to the museum's own Pumpkin Patch Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16-17 and 23-24, departing at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

There will be hayrides, arts and crafts, Lincoln Log building and games. Children are invited to pick a pumpkin from the patch to take home.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase on board the train and at the Pumpkin Patch.

Click here for tickets.

10th Annual Fox Squirrel Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch

Fox Squirrel Farm is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its corn maze and pumpkin patch at 3002 Charlie Taylor Road N., Plant City, on Saturdays and Sundays only through Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Futch family spends all year tending the corn stalks in their corn field and then cutting an intricate maze through them for visitors to navigate.

In addition to the corn maze, Fox Squirrel Farm features a pumpkin patch, hayrides, duck races, dummy steer roping, a corn hole challenge, a hay bale maze for toddlers, a giant slingshot offering a chance to hit the scarecrow, a butterfly garden, horse and pony rides and live music by the Duck Wallow Bluegrass Band.

Additionally, there are vendors selling homemade peanut brittle, kettle corn, local honey, fall crafts and more.

Admission is $11 for those 18 and older, $10 for ages 3 to 7 and free for children under age 3.

Click here to purchase tickets.

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