What’s Halloween without a few Jack O’Lanterns decorating your front stoop? Throughout history, many different cultures have carved lanterns out of vegetables like turnips, gourds and pumpkins. The carved pumpkins we in North America have become accustomed to are based primarily on an Irish tradition, though the Irish didn’t actually have pumpkins. It’s not quite certain what the original purpose of a Jack O’Lantern was. In fact, some say they were to represent the spirits, while others say they were used to scare spirits away. Regardless of the history and intent, there’s something special about visiting a pumpkin patch on a brisk autumn afternoon and picking out the perfect pumpkin!
Here are some of Surrey’s fabulous pumpkin patches:
Rondriso Farms
8390 172 Street
Take a hay wagon ride down to the patch where you’ll find some of the biggest and coolest pumpkins around! Rondriso also features a full assortment of pre-picked pumpkins, mini-pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks and hay bales available for sale at the farm stand, not to mention a grand assortment of winter veggies! For a mooo-ving experience, make sure to take the kids down to the barn where the can meet the cows and calves as well. Opening on October 1st, they’ve made some changes to how things run to ensure everyone has a wonderful, and safe, visit! Visit their website for all the details.
Port Kells Nurseries
18730 88th Avenue
It takes a lot of pumpkin seeds to grow the perfect pumpkin patch! And every May, the folks at Port Kells Nurseries plant well over 10,000 seeds in 9 growing fields! With that many potential pumpkins popping up come October, the Great Pumpkin must surely reside here! Admission is free this year and includes access to the outdoor play areas, animal attractions and the cedar maze.
The Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch
18507 20th Avenue
The Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch is open weekends throughout October and weekday afternoons from October 13 – 30. The folks at Hazelmere grow a wide variety of different pumpkins, perfect for carving, colourful displays, and pumpkin pie! Admission includes a hayride to the field, a mini corn maze, access to the farm animal interaction areas and the play areas. And for 2 days only (Oct 3 & 16) head to the farm to watch Master Pumpkin Carver Micheal Valerosa create a pumpkin masterpiece on site.
Bose Family Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze – CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
64th Avenue & 156th Street
Sit back on a hay bale and savour Surrey’s countryside as the folks at Bose Pumpkin Patch take you on a tractor-pulled ride in search of the perfect carving pumpkin. The pumpkin patch is open every weekend throughout October and pumpkins range in size from 5 to 100 pounds! In addition to the pumpkin patch, Bose Family Farm is famous for its epic corn maze, which is now open for reserved groups until October 12. Every year the maze is cut with an amazing design best viewed from above. Fun during the day, the maze gets even more epic at night! Bring a flashlight and try your luck.