This Season’s Harvest Happenings

Autumn is a perfect time to begin or continue a traditional visit to harvest happenings in our region. Pumpkins, colorful gourds and winter squash all provide a cornucopia of color, flavors and fun! Visit a farm or take part in other autumn activities with your family – there’s something for everyone! Look through our Going Places Events Calendar for even more fun October events.

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Experience farm life! Throughout October, Butte County’s Book Family Farm offers farm tours plus a pumpkin patch featuring pumpkins in an array of sizes, colors and varieties. Join a tour on Saturdays at 10am or noon: you will walk into the pasture and pet a cow … 5-month-old Belle the calf is curious to meet you. Gather eggs and feed chickens, help give the pigs a bath (they love it!), and meet horses. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a child-friendly area where kids can play. Located at 153 Heavy Horse Lane in Durham, pumpkin picking happens Tuesday-Friday from 1-6pm, and Saturdays from 9am-6pm; public tours Saturdays at 10am and noon. Private group tours are available weekday afternoons, call to schedule. Info:
http://www.bookfamilyfarm.net; (530) 342-4375.

Driving on Highway 99 near Los Molinos, amid beautiful orchards, you will find a special place called Julia’s Fruit Stand. The hard-working Brandt family offers fantastic fresh fruits and produce grown on their family farm and the farms of neighbors. With their children at their side, Kathy and James Brandt share the bounty of the season’s harvest with you. Taste fresh-picked apple varieties like Somerset, Granny Smith and Fuji. Pumpkins weighing up to 100 pounds and an array of produce is available, including Purple Russian and Mr. Stripy tomatoes. Join them October 5th, 11am-3pm, for their Annual Pumpkin Festival, featuring live music, local vendors, face painting, and of course, pumpkins!  It’s affordable fun for the whole family. Open 8am-6pm daily in October. Info: (530)354-4775.

Historic Hawes Farms in Anderson is open until November 1st, and offers “Farmtastic Fun” throughout October. Don’t miss their giant 20-acre u-pick pumpkin patch featuring 50+ pumpkin and gourd varieties – look for the pink pumpkins. Attractions include zip lines, kiddie play area, a pumpkin blaster, kids’ moooo-vie nights, gemstone mining, pony rides, haunted attractions and much more. Ride the quarter-scale Hawes Farms Express Railroad! There’s fun and food for everyone, with many special events to look forward to, including: Oktoberfest, Wild Western Days, a Creepy Hollow
Carnival, and a Fall Finale Pumpkin Smash Weekend. Located at the intersection of Dersch and Deschutes Roads in Anderson. Info:
http://www.HistoricHawesFarms.com; (530) 365-8488. 

For some real country fun visit the Dairyville Orchard Festival at Lassen View Elementary School, Highway 99E, in Los Molinos on October 18th, from 10am-4pm. Sample and purchase fresh, locally grown walnuts, almonds, pecans, the festival’s famous chocolate-covered prunes, olives, tri-tip BBQ, oriental chicken salad, chili taco bowl, and much more! Enjoy live entertainment, arts and crafts (over 60 vendors), children’s activities, antique farming equipment displays, and a giant pumpkin contest. Find treasures at a silent auction too; to date the festival has raised and awarded over $157,700 in scholarship monies. Free admission. Info:  http://www.dairyvillefestival.org.

Butte County’s Johnny Appleseed Days in Paradise is the oldest harvest festival in the state and a family tradition of celebrating local apple history. The fun includes children’s games, face painting, live entertainment and a variety of artisans, and features over 800 apple pies lovingly made by enthusiastic volunteer bakers. Open October 4th, from 10am-5pm, and October 5th, from 10am-4pm. Free admission. Held at Terry Ashe Park, 6626 Skyway. For more info: http://www.paradisechamber.com/johnny-appleseed-days; (530) 877-9356.

Visit Country Pumpkins in Orland! Open daily October 1st-31st, from 10am-6pm. Features 21 varieties of pumpkins, and interesting gourds. Walk the 10-acre corn maze during the day for just $3 to benefit 4-H programs. Maze open until 5pm. Attractions include: hay pyramid, corn tire, hay slide, baby animals and more! Get spooked at six haunted maze nights: October 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th & 25th, $10 per person. Easy-to-find location, at 7152 Highway 32, east of Orland between Road P and Stony Creek; watch for signs. Info: http://www.countrypumpkins.net.

At TJ Farms in Chico, families enjoy the farm’s popular u-pick pumpkin patch, hay-bale obstacle course, picnic area, pumpkin-decorated barn, and old-fashioned corn shellers. Feed and pet farm animals. Weekends additionally offer hayrides pulled by vintage 1946 tractor, and a bounce house ($3 each). In the farm’s country store, sample tasty jams, vinegars, exceptional dressings and pickles. Admission is free. Open rain or shine through October 27th (or until pumpkins are sold out), weekdays from 2-6pm and weekends from 10am-6pm. Group tours available by appointment. 3600 Chico Ave. Info: http://www.tjfarmsestates.com; (530) 343-2294.

Those who appreciate local foods and wines will enjoy the Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend taking place in and around Butte County October 11th and 12th. Whether a romantic getaway or a family educational adventure, visit local farms, orchards & wineries on a self-guided tour in the beautiful Butte County countryside – it’s a grand weekend of farm-fresh food sampling and wine tasting. Passport tickets are $25 presale or $30 on day of event. Purchase tickets at the Chico Chamber office or find more info at: http://www.sierraoro.org; (530) 891-5556.

A drive out on Highway 97 just north of downtown Weed in Siskiyou County brings you to Papa’s Pumpkin Patch, where there’s “a little bit of everything.” There are pounds and pounds of pumpkins to choose from, ornamental corn, gourds, a gift shop, photo murals and activities that all promise a wonderful outdoor adventure for your family! Open daily in October from 10am-sunset. Located 3.8 miles outside of Weed at 4916 Solus Dr.; look for signs on the left side of Highway 97. Info: (530) 938-2755.

Celebrate the season’s harvest with Maisie Jane’s Pun’kin Patch Corner! Pick your favorite pumpkin right off the vine, choosing from over 10 varieties, including giant, blue, white, terra-cotta, and traditional Jack-o-lantern varieties! Receive a free bag of Maisie Jane’s famous almonds and gift basket drawing entry with pumpkin purchase! Bring a scarecrow for a chance to win $50! Free admission. Open daily in October. 1324 Dayton Rd., Chico. Info:
http://www.maisiejanes.com; (530) 899-7909.

Come celebrate everything about apples at the 22nd annual Manton Apple Festival in Northeastern Tehama County on October 4th, 9am-4pm. Features over 100 craft & food booths, live music on two stages, kids’ arts & craft activities, carriage rides and games … it’s a day of fun for the whole family! Enter the apple pie contest (junior and adult divisions) and have your pie judged by local television personalities. Admission is free; festival proceeds support community projects & scholarships. Please no pets or smoking. Manton Elementary School, 31345 Forward Rd. Info: http://www.mantonapple.com;
(530) 474-1113.

Located in central Siskiyou County just west of I-5 is Hunter Orchards in Gazelle. The farm is a favorite fall adventure for North State families. Enjoy their u-pick organic pumpkin patch, children’s hay maze, picnic area (bring a blanket) and open-air store. Also features unique winter squash, gourds, garlic, apples and pears, all certified organically grown. Open daily October 1st-31st, from 10am to 6pm. Large group tours offered by appointment. Located between Gazelle and Grenada at 14431 Old Westside Rd. From the south, take the Gazelle-Edgewood exit towards Gazelle and follow the pumpkin signs. Info: http://www.hunterorchards.com; (530) 436-2532.

Celebrate autumn at the Patrick Ranch Museum in Durham. Take a glimpse back in time while enjoying newer traditions at the third annual AutumnFest held October 5th-26th. The ranch is open Saturdays & Sundays, 10am-4pm. Features an animal exhibit, ranch & farm house tours, hayrides, a pumpkin patch ($5 entry), scarecrow contest, free children’s activities, and a country store. Located at 10381 Midway. School classroom tours available, call Tuesday-Thursday (10am-2pm) to reserve your spot. More information: http://www.patrickranchmuseum.org; (530) 342-4359.