Pumpkin Farms Prepare for Halloween With Special Deals

The memory of September has barely faded, but it's time to start thinking about Halloween. Pumpkin farms around the area are preparing for the holiday with events, corn mazes and, of course, pumpkins.

• Not quite a pumpkin farm, does give each paying guest a pumpkin to decorate and take home at its annual Oak Leaf Festival. This year's event will be Oct. 15. Activities include tree climbing, pony rides, inflatable jumpies and other seasonal fun. Admission is $6 per person.
  

• Konow's Corn Maze, 16849 S. Cedar Road in Homer Glen, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 30 and offers all farm fun (no ghouls, goblins or ghosts). Your $9 admission (for ages 3 and older) covers the cow train, the new mechanical bull ride, the giant jumpy pillow, the corn mazes, the tractor track, the animal barn and more. Visit their Facebook page for a coupon.

• Butterprint Farms in Monee is an annual tradition for many Frankfort area families. This historical working farm dates back to 1857 and is a Conservation and Native Landscaping award winner for work with rural wildlife preservation. The farm is open Saturdays and Sundays in October with live music, hayrides, early farm demonstrations, pumpkin picking, face painting, a scarecrow corn maze and other fall fun. Admission is $9 and $6 for children 3 and older. Butterprint Farms is at 24936 S. 80th Ave., just north of Manhattan-Monee Road.

• If it's a beautiful day for a drive, consider heading out to Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm. Located at 4853 U.S. Hwy. 52 in Minooka, Heap's has a variety of fall-themed activities at varying hours and days, so be sure to check the website. The pumpkin farm and corn maze, however, are open daily. All activities are individually priced, and there is no general admission. When the haunted corn maze opens on Friday, Oct. 7, Heap's Facebook page will offer a $2 coupon.

• Head south on U.S. Hwy. 52 to Manhattan, and you'll find the Fall Fun Festival at Round Barn Farm, sponsored by the Manhattan Park District. This event runs Oct. 14-16 and features family farm fun, along with a full carnival and a beer/entertainment tent for the over-21 crowd. An all-you-can-ride wristband special will be offered from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 16 for $15 in advance or $18 if purchased at the carnival.

• In nearby Homer Glen, the Bengtston's Pumpkin Farm is offering discounted prices this year. Children under 10 and senior citizens pay $10.99, children over 11 and adults pay $11.99 and children 2 and under are free. Admission includes a haunted house, pig races, hay rides and much more. The farm is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Oct. 30.