October fun: Corn mazes, fall festivals and other Tri-Cities area events
‘Tis the season for pumpkin carving, corn mazes and straw bale pyramids.
Fall festivals in the Tri-Cities region will run through October — all with some COVID-19 restrictions and safety measures.
Richland Annual Fall Carnival
The city of Richland’s Annual Fall Carnival 2020 is Oct 26-30. While Richland parks and recreation officials still are finalizing the details, but so far the event will offer:
▪ A family-friendly Halloween-themed drive-in movie at Columbia Point Marina Park on Oct 30. There will be two shows with the first starting at 5 p.m. Cost is $5 per car.
▪ “Scary in a Sack” Halloween starter and pumpkin pack giveaway that will include candy, Halloween swag, pumpkin decorating supplies and a pumpkin. There will be drive-thru pick up for these items Oct 19-20.
More details will be released on the parks and recreation department’s Facebook page as they become available.
Light up the night
Olivia Pazorg of Richland is determined to light up the night for the weekends leading up to Halloween. She is organizing an effort for homeowners to decorate for a drive-by viewing in the similar spirit of Christmas lights.
Tri-Cities Halloween Light Show will highlight viewings each Friday and Saturday starting Oct. 17- 31 from 8 to 10:30 p.m. A map of participants is at tricitieshalloweenlightshow.com with locations marked by pumpkins.
“I created this because I wanted to have a safe and fun way that everyone could enjoy it,” Paz said. “I think it would be amazing to have an entire neighborhood to drive through.”
To be added to the light show map, email Paz at tricitieshalloween@gmail.com or join the Tri-Cities Halloween Light Show Facebook group.
Country Mercantile Harvest Festival
The Country Mercantile Harvest Festival’s harvest festival runs through Oct. 31.
The store at 232 Crestloch Road north of Pasco along Highway 395 is known for carrying locally grown produce, an extensive selection of sweets and homemade chocolate, gourmet foods such as canned sauces, as well as fresh food and a deli.
The annual event will feature a pumpkin patch, corn maze, straw bale pyramid, a virtual petting zoo and photo booths on the property surround the store.
Organizers said they will add more activities throughout the month as COVID restrictions allow.
Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Admission is $7 and free for children 2 and younger.
For more information, go to countrymercantile.com
Middleton Fall Festival
The Middleton Six Sons Farms is operating its fall festival through Nov. 1.
While Middleton’s Fest Festival at 1050 Pasco-Kahlotus highway closed a number of attractions because of COVID, the corn maze, kids corn maze and pumpkin patch remain open along with other features, such as a petting zoo and pumpkin train.
See middletonsfallfestival.com for a full list of attractions available.
For an extra cost, festival-goers can get face painting, potato blasters, horse rides and rent campfire site to road a marshmallow.
The farm is limiting the number of guests entering at a given time, encouraging cashless payments, as well as asking guests to adhere to social distancing and mask use.
Hour are noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
General admission is $13 for those 3 and older, and $12 for a group rate of 15 people or more. Purchase online at middletonsfallfestival.com for a $1 savings or buy a season pass for $32.
Bill’s Berry Farm
The Pumpkin Festival at Bill’s Berry Farm in Grandview kicks off this weekend and is open until Oct. 31.
This year there will be free admission for the events at the farm that is about 40 minutes west of Tri-Cities at 3674 N. County Line Road.
In addition to a pumpkin patch, pay-as-you-go activities include apple slingshots, private fire pits, a farm-themed play area for ages 3 and up and another for those 5 and younger. The barnyard corn maze is closed this year.
Activities for free use include a tire swing, playgrounds with old tractors and picnic grounds and tables,
The farm will be selling fresh pumpkin donuts, concessions and a farm store will be selling goods.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information, go to billsberryfarm.com
Pumpkin patches
▪ Christopherson Farm: The small farm at 197616 E Bowles Road in Kennewick is operated by a husband-wife team. The farm usually has several free activities including a corn maze but this year the farm is making adjustments because of COVID and will have just pickup booths. They will be offering several types of carving pumpkins, as well as mini pumpkins, pie pumpkins and corn stalks. The farm stands is open Fridays through Sundays. Purchases are made by the honor system, self-serve and cash only. For more information, call 509-430-2167.
▪ Ray French Orchard: 921 Harvest Lane PR NE in Richland, will offering a U-Pick pumpkin patch. Times and dates are not yet available but will be announced on the Facebook page.
▪ Hatch Patch, 1730 Falls Road in Pasco, offers U-Pick apples, pears and pumpkins. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday through Oct. 31. Free admission. More information on the Hatch Patch Facebook page.
▪ Jobs Nursery Pumpkin Patch, 4072 Columbia River Road in Pasco, has a U-Pick pumpkin patch with cutters and carts provided, which are sanitized after each use. Other squash varieties being sold are acorn, Hubbard, spaghetti, delicata and Long Island cheese. It is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to to 4 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 31. Free admission. Masks are required to prevent the spread of COVID. For more information, go to jobsnursery.com
▪ Villa’s Lil’ Pumpkin Patch, 510 Orchard Road in Pasco. The produce stand is offering pumpkins from 9:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday in October. Free admission.
▪ Rowley & Hawkins Fruit Farm, 5121 N. Wahluke Road in Basin City will kick off its fall festivities this weekend. The farm will have fresh apple cider, games, train rides and free pumpkins for children 5 years old and younger. Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Friday and Saturday during October.
This story was originally published September 23, 2020 at 12:49 PM.