Mississippi Pumpkin Farms
Hayrides, corn mazes and a chance to pick-your-own pumpkin. Where to find Mississippi farms and old-fashioned family fun this harvest season
Delta Tradition
Simmons Pumpkin Farm, Belzoni
Just north of Belzoni, Mark and Peggy Simmons have been opening the gates to their magical farm for 18 years. Beginning at the end of September through October, children experience a hayride to the pumpkin patch through fields of gorgeous sunflowers where each child “picks” a pumpkin. Then there’s a stop at the petting zoo to see horses, baby calves and chickens for a taste of farm life. Miss Peggy pours the children “pumpkin juice” with plenty of time left for frolicking on the vintage farm equipment and tractor tires. The Simmons accommodate groups, particularly school children and teachers. This year, the family is offering a “come early special” with a discount per student from September 29th to October 2nd. On the weekends, the Simmons welcome church and scouting groups Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. and Sunday from 1:30 until 5:00 p.m. 1676 Simmons Road, Belzoni, (662) 247-3707 or (662) 836-7016. (Karen Mayer)
Adventures Abound
Cedar Hill Farm, Hernando
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Scenery abounds on the 120-acre farm of Mike and Martha Foster. Since 1996, Cedar Hill Farm has entertained visitors year-round with everything from Easter egg hunts to company picnics. The Fosters and their grown children grow thousands of pumpkins and gourds on the property and offer tractor-drawn hayrides to the pumpkin patch. Children pet the farm animals, play in the hay fort or ride a pony. Mothers find mums and corn stalks available at the family produce stand and sold at wholesale prices. Children run wild in the hay maze, and if brave enough, try their hand at the Haunted Hayride, the Black Hole or Trail of Terror, which leads visitors through an elaborate deep woods adventure, designed to haunt and scare while the black hole (an optical illusion) confounds. Each year, the Fosters choose a different design for the five-acre corn maze, which requires patience and a flashlight to navigate. For activities through the fall, visit www.cedarhfarm.com. 8 Love Road, Hernando, (662) 429-2540. (Karen Mayer)
Back to Nature
The Garden District, Batesville
A boutique nursery located between Batesville and Oxford at the Water Valley exit, The Garden District rings in fall at a different pace and tempo, offering gardeners, families and visitors time to reflect and gear up for fall planting. As in years past, The Garden District’s pumpkin patch and corn maze will delight the young ones, but this year, owner Joanna Patton is also including a new nature trail. Hoping to raise awareness about thinking “green,” the hayride trail has been converted into a walking nature trail filled with teachable moments for adults and children. Here, visitors learn about native wildflowers, shrubs and trees as well as hear local Indian lore. The Garden District kicks off its fall activities on October 5th. Picnic areas are available where families relax, eat and make a day of it at The Garden District. For an economical $5, visitors walk the corn maze, nature trail and take home a pumpkin pie. 35916 Highway 315, Batesville, (662) 561-0089. (Karen Mayer)
Wooded Wonder
Nichols-Boyd Pumpkin Patch, Brandon
Fourteen years and counting, Nichols-Boyd Pumpkin Patch is truly a one-stop shop, or shall we say, farm. Roy, a former professional golfer, and A.B. Nichols are first-generation farmers, a rarity these days, who have set up an ideal operation for this timeless fall tradition. For the month of October, group tours are pre-booked during the week and include farm tours by hayride, pumpkin picking, farm animals, an old-fashioned playground and a little pumpkin juice. Weekends are for the general public and pumpkin tours leave out on the hour. Picnic areas are available or you can pre-book a weekend “Cookout on The Back Forty” for a group, complete with a hot dog and marshmallow roast set-up. The “A-Maize-ing” corn maize is designed scavenger-style for weekday groups. And don’t leave without visiting the farm store. A full autumn harvest of pumpkins and gourds, as well as specialty harvest items for decorating, sugar cane, homemade pumpkin bread and peanut brittle, are just a few of the items. 3970 Highway 43 North, Brandon, (601) 829-0800.
Tricks and Treats
Farmer Jim’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, Rolling Fork
What better way to tour a pumpkin farm than in Farmer Jim’s 1956 Chevy? For four years, Jim and Lynn Newman have hosted children of all ages at their 5-acre pumpkin patch. Home to thousands of ripe-for-picking pumpkins, guests can pick their own jack-o-lantern right off the vine. Patience and planning has also produced a great crop of heirloom pumpkins, for sale and perfect for fall decorating. The pumpkin farm opens October 1st through November 1st. Allow time; it can take an hour to find your way to the end and Farmer Jim’s corn maze. But help is available to the directionally challenged. For those up for a scare, the maze is “haunted” from October 24-31, 9 p.m. until midnight. Highway 16 W, Rolling Fork, (662) 907-3359. DM |
