Pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes: These farms go all in for Halloween
In search of the great pumpkin?
You might have a good shot at finding one — and a lot more — at one of these pumpkin patches.
As always, its wise to call ahead to check hours, admission costs and availability of activities during the week and weekends.
Janoski’s Farm & Greenhouse
• 1714 Route 30, Clinton
• 724-899-3438
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in a place dubbed Pumpkinland, you’re just not trying.
Pumpkinland officially kicks off Oct. 1, runs weekends through the 30 and includes (besides the pumpkin patch) hayrides, corn and straw mazes, pony rides and a petting zoo.
Janoski’s also offers a farm market, a greenhouse that will begin selling poinsettias come November and a garden center where you can find mums and other Halloween décor.
The farm is relatively recent, having started in 1958 with a small operation in Mt. Lebanon. The operation moved in 1962 and today consists of about 200 acres, along with additional property and a nearby orchard, and includes a wine room and a lakeside venue for events.
Renshaw Family Farms
• 314 Ford City Road, Freeport (South Buffalo)
• 724-294-0061
This marks the 14th year for the Renshaw Farms Pumpkin Fest, and it got under way last weekend. It runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October and involves more activities than your inner child — or your actual child — might be able to handle.
Besides the traditional pumpkin patch, hayrides and corn maze, Renshaw offers a bounce pillow, giant rope spider web, hay bale mountain, mini golf, photo booth, zip lines and animal park, among other activities.
On Oct. 1, the farm will hold “The Great Pumpkin Weigh Off” during which giant pumpkins, squash and gourds will be entered in a contest and on display.
The farm’s website has a handy venue map if you plan to go.
Shenot Farm & Market
• 3754 Wexford Run Road, Wexford (Marshall)
• 724-935-2542
Not only can you buy your pumpkin at Shenot, but you also can return on the weekend immediately after Halloween to smash the jack-o-lantern.
The pumpkin patch opened last weekend and is open daily through Oct. 30. Hayrides are available to the pumpkin patch on Saturdays and Sunday ($5 per person, ages 3 and up), or you can opt for the half-mile walking trail ($2 per person, 3 and up). Weekdays are free.
Food trucks will be on hand on weekends.
The Shenot apple orchard covers about 15 acres and grows 25 varieties — and you can read about every single one of them on the farm’s website. https://www.shenotfarm.com/apples.html
Soergel Orchards
• 2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford (Franklin Park)
• 724-935-1743
Fall Festival events kicked off a couple of weeks ago and continue through October, and the farm’s Friday night hayrides begin Oct. 7.
Festival activities run every Saturday and Sunday. Among the attractions (besides gourd hunting): tractor rides, flower and apple picking, games and music.
The farm dates to 1850 and consists of about 450 acres in various locations Allegheny and Butler counties. The operation grew through the years to include full-scale bakery and deli, a gift barn and wine shop.
Trax Farms
• 528 Trax Road, Finleyville
• 412-835-3246
Think you have what it takes to find your way through 3 acres of corn maze? Trax Farms is waiting.
(The drone footage on the Trax website alone is worth a click.)
The farm’s Fall Festival kicked off last weekend and runs Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 23.
The farm started with the purchase of an 1806 log house on 75 acres for $5,000, according the Trax website. Today, it’s a popular destination in the South Hills, with its Fall Festival events offering hayrides, train rides, games, live music and food trucks. There is also a greenhouse, deli, bakery and wine shop.
Triple B Farms
• 823 Berry Lane, Monongahela (Forward Township)
• 724-258-3557
• https://www.triplebfarms.com/
Have you ever been curious what the difference between a Cortland and Jonagold apple? Triple B has a handy guide – not to mention a pretty cool annual crop calendar and site map on its website. But pick-your-own apples is just one attraction that the farm offers in the fall.
For more than 35 years, Triple B has hosted families looking for fresh produce, baked goods, homemade fudge and more.
Its Fall Family Fun events started last weekend and runs Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 30. Besides its pumpkin patch, the farm offers slides, hayrides, corn mazes, jumping pillows and farm animals. Other activities can be found during the week as well.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.