Lost in the Corn. Happy About It.
The pumpkin now has competition. Across Alabama, October farm visits come with mazes, jumping pillows, ziplines and enough food to postpone supper. Picking something for the porch can take an entire afternoon, and that appears to be the point.
At Tate Farms in Meridianville, the acreage tells the story. Its family-focused fall business began in 1996 with 15 acres of pumpkins. Today, more than 80 acres of pumpkin fields accompany over 20 acres devoted to retail, play and entertainment. The larger farming operation still produces corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat.
That agricultural foundation shows up in unexpected places. The pumpkin farm’s corn cribs hold corn grown by the family, repurposed for digging and burying. Tractor-pulled corn trains, jumping pillows and a six-acre maze extend the outing well beyond selecting a jack-o’-lantern. On October 31, Pumpkin Destruction Day gives the crop a considerably less dignified finale.
“Agritainment” is the industry’s compact word for this arrangement: farms making room for paying visitors and plenty of play. For families, it changes the practical shape of an October outing. Lunch, entertainment and the annual pumpkin decision can happen in one place.
In Wetumpka’s Redland community, Cornfield County Farms carries that idea through its October 31 season finale. A corn maze and sunflower maze share the itinerary with a zipline and corn cob cannon. The pumpkin patch remains part of the visit, although it has acquired some rather energetic neighbors.
Farther south, the connection between crop and recreation comes with something to eat. Laurie Farms in Uriah grows peanuts and cotton, and its fall attractions include an 8.5-acre corn maze, wagon rides and corn cannons. Fresh boiled peanuts give the concession menu a direct connection to the farm’s working identity. Its calendar extends through November 1, with weekend visits anchoring the season.
That mix leaves room for activities with no harvesting required. At CornDodgers Farm in Headland, the fall season runs through October 31, and admission includes a round of nine-hole mini golf alongside the corn maze. Apparently, getting lost and missing a putt belong on the same schedule.
The appeal lies in how much of the farm becomes available to experience: crops to walk through, food to taste, space to play. Alabama’s harvest outings have grown around those simple ingredients. The pumpkin can still ride home in the trunk after everyone has finished playing.
Find more seasonal outings in the Guide to Alabama arts and entertainment directory: https://www.guidetoalabama.com/arts-entertainment