Fall fun awaits on a large scale across the Merced region. See where and when
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Merced-area seasonal events launching.
- There’s a range of options to enjoy.
- Admission fees vary, with several free activities.
There will be an abundance of fun to harvest as autumn brings fields of pumpkin patches and corn mazes to the Merced area and beyond.
Large farms are set to a host a bumper crop of activities to welcome the season. Most of the attractions are for all ages.
In Patterson, Save Mart and Fantozzi Farms have joined for this year’s maze with a field-to-family table theme carved out to “spotlight the Central Valley’s role in feeding local neighbors, families, and beyond,” according to press release from Save Mart.
Here’s a look at just some of the places to enjoy activities and find plenty of the season’s signature item, pumpkins:
DELL’OSSO FAMILY FARM — Oct. 3-31: The pumpkin farm in Lathrop offers more than 20 attractions, including corn mazes, a haunted house, train, hayrides, a new Thrill Hill attraction, mini golf, Teeny Town, pig races and more, all available with the price of admission. Other activities such as a carousel, blasters, pumpkin painting, gem mining and pony rides are available for an additional fee. Food, merchandise and pumpkins are available for purchase. Hours are noon-7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Special Halloween day hours are noon-5 p.m., with last entry at 3:30 p.m. Admission is $23.95 Mondays-Thursdays, $28.95 Fridays, $32.95 Saturdays-Sundays, free to age 2 and under, and $85 for a season pass. 501 Manthey Road, Lathrop. pumpkinmaze.com.
FANTOZZI FARMS CORN MAZE & PUMPKIN PATCH — Through Nov. 2: This Patterson farm’s attractions include corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a corn kernel pit, hay pyramid, pedal kart raceways, jumping pillow, pig races and more. Corn cannons, a zombie paintball shooting range and cow train rides are available Fridays through Sundays for an additional fee. A haunted maze will be open 7-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays beginning Oct. 3, also for an additional fee. Attractions are open 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $15 Fridays-Sundays, free to age 2 and under; $12 Mondays-Thursdays, free to age 2 and under. A season pass is $40. 2665 Sperry Ave., Patterson. www.fantozzifarms.com.
HUNTER FARMS — Sept. 27-Nov. 2: Find fun for the price of admission at the Atwater farm, including corn and hay mazes, a Dino Ranch, a barnyard bounce pillow, hayrides, a time travel tractor that rides from prehistoric times back to the present day, Billykens’ Blasters shooting gallery, a corn chute, zip-bee, pig derby and more. For an additional $10 fee, visit Hunter Farms Mining Co. for a bag of “paydirt” to search out gemstones, crystals and artifacts. Rides and activity hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 2) and, beginning Oct. 8, 4-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays and 4-8 p.m. Fridays. $17-$20 admission; $38 season pass. 2985 N. Southern Pacific Ave., Atwater. www.hunterfamilyfarms.com.
IRWIN ACRES — Oct. 1-31: This farm in Hilmar is the site of a six-acre corn maze. Activities include wagon rides, a spooky barn, pumpkin launchers, a haystack hill, tire mountain, cornhole, bounce houses and more. Noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Closed Mondays. Admission is $8-$10, with $7 Wednesdays. 7706 Irwin St., Hilmar. 209-678-3242.
R.A.M. FARMS — Oct. 3-Nov. 2: There will be a corn maze at R.A.M. Farms in Turlock — with additional Freaky Flashlight Nights through the maze on Fridays and Saturdays (take your own flashlights) beginning at dusk. Also on site is a scary shed, a tractor corral and hay maze. There will be Halloween video clips shown nightly. There’s a variety of pumpkins, and wandering the patch is free. Corn maze tickets are $10-$12. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. R.A.M. Farms Inc., 716 N. Daubenberger Road, Turlock. ramfarms.com.
VISTA RANCH — Oct. 1-30: A small corn maze leads into the pumpkin field at this farm in Merced. On weekends from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. there’s site-made pizza for sale and live music for free in the pumpkin patch picnic area. The ranch also offers wine tastings, $8 per glass, $14 for four varietals. The ranch and wine tasting room are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. $5 admission for the corn maze. 7326 E. Highway 140, Merced. 209-722-8200.
