In Florida, about the only way to know it’s fall is to look on the calendar. With summer-like heat and sunny days continuing, the changing season is difficult to recognize.
This is unlike up north where the leaves are changing color, there’s a chill touching the air and locally grown apples and cider appear at roadside stands.
But don’t despair. You too can get a taste of fall by visiting a farm where Florida harvest festivals are in full swing.
Join the fun that might include patches of pumpkins just waiting to be turned into Jack O’ Lanterns, rides in hay-filled carts pulled by horses or tractors and cunning mazes cut into fields.
These festivals are part of a growing trend that has come to be known as agritourism (aka “agritainment”). Combining tourism with agriculture, agritourism encourages farmers to not only supply food but also educate and entertain.
Agriculture and tourism are tops in Florida
In 2019, the latest numbers available from Rockport Analytics, over 130 million visitors came to Florida, with state tourism creating an economic impact of over $96 billion while employing almost 1.6 million people.
On the agriculture side, Florida is home to more than 47,000 agricultural-related operations producing 300 different commodities. According to the University of Florida, these farms and related industries add more than $7.6 billion to the state’s economy each year and provide over 1.5 million jobs for Floridians.
In fact, the state ranks second in the nation for vegetable production – think cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, snap beans, watermelon, squash and sweet corn — and is responsible for 45 percent of the nation’s total citrus production.
Agritourism benefits everyone
Festivals and the like are fun, but they also create a whole new cash crop for Florida’s small farmers. They boost Florida’s economy while helping the bottom line of small farms, which often are struggling to pay taxes and fend off developers.
Besides helping farmers support their land and their families, agritourism can benefit wildlife and the environment as it may include bird and wildlife watching, wildlife photography and fishing.
It also has social benefits as farmers educate the public through farm programs and tours. Plus, it provides farmers with a way to market their crops and products directly to the public.
Fun fall festivals
Celebrate the change of seasons and enjoy the state’s agritourism offerings by participating in Florida Fall Festivals and Farm Tours. Here are some of your many opportunities.
NOTE: If links to online ticket sales do not work, it probably means the busy farmer hasn’t updated the site yet so check back nearer to the festival date or contact the farm directly.
Amazing Grace Crop Maze
Where: 4251 State Road 21, Greenfield Springs
When: Sept. 30 through Oct. 29 on Fridays, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Activities: A 125-acre family farm featuring a 7.5-acre maze cut into sorghum fields, pumpkin patch, playground, barnyard animals and horse rides plus more.
Cost: Tickets go on sale online Sept 19. Before that, you can sign up on the farm website to get notified when tickets are available.
More Info: acropmaze.com; 904-284-2949; info@cropmaze.com.
Aunt Louise’s Fall Farm Days
Where: 8101 Waukeenah Hwy., Monticello
When: Oct. 2 through Nov.14, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, 2 to 6 p.m.
Activities: Wagon rides, barrel train rides, rubber duck races, farm animals, Our Famous Corn Maze, corn pit plus more.
Cost: $10.50 per person; children 3 and under, free. Pay at the gate.
More Info: auntlouisesfarm.com ; 850-251-7708
Bedner’s Pumpkin Patch
Where: 10066 Lee Road, Boynton Beach
When: Sept. 24 through Oct. 31 open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. with last admission 6 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Tuesdays. Purchase tickets at gate
Activities: Pumpkin Patch, Animal EDventure Park, tractor rides, corn maze, sunflower field, food available for sale plus more.
Cost: $24.99; children under 2, free
More Info: 561-733-5490; http://www.bedners.com/events.html www.facebook.com/Bedners/
Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres
Where: 19856 County Road 121, Hilliard
When: The maze runs throughout October on Fridays, 2 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Activities: Enjoy the maze that has a design saluting first responders, the result of a contest. You’ll also enjoy farm animals, playground, play fort, hay maze, cow/horse train, ball sports, corn hole, pumpkin patch, rubber duck races, autism garden, Nightime Wagon Ride and Flashlight Nights (Oct. 21 and 22), plus more.
Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt: This is in addition to the Corn Maze on Oct 29 at 10 a.m.; find treats or tricks all around the farm with first 300 children (12 years old and younger) receiving treat bags.
Haunted Trail: On Oct. 28 and 29, in addition to wandering the Corn Maze, you can be scared silly walking through a corn field in the dead of night (no flashlights allowed); trail opens at 7 p.m. with last person admitted at 9 p.m.; online reservations required; separate admission ticket required, $35.
Other: Praise in the Maze (Nov. 5, 5 to 10 p.m.); Veteran’s Day celebration (Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Cost: 2 years and up, $10.99 (plus tax and ticketing fee) when purchased online; $21.99 (plus tax) at gate. Additional charges for the corn cannon, horseback rides and feed for the farm animals. Visit website for additional discounts.
More Info: 904-879-5453; Conner’s A-maize-ing Acres | Facebook; connerscornmaze.com; info@connerscornmaze.com
Countryside Family Farms Fall Festival and Maze
Where: 6325 81st St., Vero Beach
When: Throughout October, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dates may be made available in September, check website.
Activities: Hayride, barnyard ball zone, rat rollers, jump pillow, mower-go-round, air cannon, Orange Blossom Train, pumpkin patch, giant tic-tac-toe and chess boards, rubber ducky races, old Florida nature trail, zip line, corn hole. Hillbilly Hootenanny, family photo ops, ring toss, Cornundrums (riddles hidden in the maze), corn crib, graffiti car, bubble fun, Kiddie Maze (for kids 2 through 5 years), plus more.
Flashlight Nights: Oct. 29 and 30, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. when you bring your own flashlight to explore the maze after dark.
Cost: At the gate, $15.95 plus taxes and fees; children 2 and under free. Purchase tickets online Sept. 8 through Sept. 17, $9.95 plus taxes and fees; online Sept. 18 through Oct. 30, $12.95 plus taxes and fees.
More Info: countrysidecitrus.com; 888-550-5745
Cow Creek Farm Tour
Where: 6802 Five Acre Road, Plant City
When: Sept. 10, 17, 18, 25 and Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Ages 12 and older, $22; 3 to 11 years, $17; 2 and under, free. Purchase tickets online.
Activities: Pail of Treats, 45-minute guided walking tour, tractor ride.
More Info: 813-545-7362; Cow Creek Farm | Facebook
Fruitville Grove 34th Annual Pumpkin Festival
Where: 7410 Fruitville Road, Sarasota FL 34240, US
When: Saturdays and Sundays in October, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Activities: Farmer’s Market, Pumpkin Palace, petting zoo, live music, Torres Family Circus (showtimes 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.), photo spots and costume contests (every Saturday at 2 p.m. in front of the animal barn) plus zip line, pony rides, rock wall, bounce house and pumpkin painting for an additional charge ($1 to $10).
Cost: Admission is free; parking, $5.
More Info: 941-377-0896; Pumpkin Festival
Hollow Oaks Corn Maze
Where: 18005 NW 190th Ave., High Springs
When: Weekends Sept. 30 through Nov. 6, Fridays 6 to 11 p.m.; Saturdays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays 2 to 6 p.m.
Activities: Maze with interactive games (weekly prizes); hayride {haunted after dark on Fridays and Saturdays}, photo ops; mini maze for kids, pumpkin bowling, slide, jump pad, bean bag toss, duck races, corn box and more.
Trick or Treat in the Maze also is planned; check website for updates.
Cost: Age 13 through adult, $12; age 4 through 12, $10; age 3 and under, free. Tickets will be available online (if they aren’t yet available, check back for updates).
More Info: https://www.hollowoakscornmaze.com/; 352-214-6603; (1) hollow oaks corn maze – Search Results | Facebook
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival
Where: 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton
When: Oct. 15-16, 22-23, 29-30; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Activities: Craft show, live music and shows, pumpkins and kids’ pumpkin games, Pioneer Trades Village, hayrides, pony rides, corn maze ($2) scarecrow display, food galore, chainsaw sculpting, petting zoo, arm painting, children’s train rides ($2), big train rides ($3), juggler, butterfly experience.
Cost: Admission, $15 with children 10 and under free; parking, $5. Cash only.
More Info: 941-322-2168; hunsaderfarms.com/pumpkin-festival
Long & Scott Farms 19th Annual Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Where: 26216 County Road 448B, Mount Dora
When: Open Oct. 1 through Dec. 11 on Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Last admission at 3 p.m.; everyone must leave by 5 p.m.
Activities: 6.5-acre corn maze with games within the maze or half-acre mini maze; fortune telling; hay ride with audio farm tour; market, café and food vendors; jumping pillow; 60-foot slide, castle-like playground plus more.
Night Mazes: Oct. 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets limited.
Cost: 3 and under, free; others, $9.99 with online, pre-purchase ($17 at gate); all kids must be with a paying adult; additional charge for hay rides, $4; and fishing for kids, $2. Purchase tickets online.
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/LongScottFarms; 352-383-6900; longandscottsfarm.com
Painted Oaks Academy/Tanner Pioneer Ranch Corn Maze Orlando
Where: 15239 Lake Pickett Road, Orlando
When: Oct. 8 to Nov. 30, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Activities: Corn maze, pumpkin patch and fun park; hay rides additional charge.
Cost: Adult, $15 (plus fee); UCF student, $12 (plus fee); child, $10. Hay rides $5 per person. Tickets must be purchased online.
More info: Corn Maze Orlando; 407-929-0970; lisa@paintedoaksacademy.com
Partin Ranch Corn Maze
Where: 5601 N. Canoe Creek Road, Kenansville
When: Saturdays and Sundays in October through Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Activities: A variety of maze trails cover six acres; pumpkin patch; kids’ barrel train; ranch animals; hay rides; kiddie zip line; selfie and photo props; hay rides plus more.
Cost: General admission 3 years and older, $12; 2 years and younger, free; 65 and up, $10; season pass, $20 plus additional discounts listed online. Combine Harvester rides $5 per person over knee high; pony rides $5 (cash); Butterfly Dan’s $3 (cash). Wear a pink shirt on Oct. 23 and receive $1 off admission for Breast Cancer Awareness. Last tickets sold at 4 p.m.; admission includes both mazes, barrel train ride, hayride, various games and play areas and 1 ride on kiddie zip line; Oct. 39 and 30 is Trick or Treat with kids in costume free. Purchase tickets online.
More Info: 407-709-7250; www.partinranchcornmaze.com
Raprager Family Farm Fall Pumpkin Festival and Haunted Farm
Where: 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa
When: Sept. 24, 25, 30; and Friday, Saturdays and Sundays in October; plus Nov. 5, 6, 12, 13. Open Fridays 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Activities: Hay rides with haunted hay rides commencing at 5 p.m.; pumpkins for sale; petting zoo; bounce pillow; 40-foot hay chute slide; 1,000-square-foot inflated maze for kids of all ages; axe throw; jump in corn; play fort; face painting plus more.
Cost: Prices vary for different days and times. Premium times, $16.95; off times, $15.95; at gate, $19.50. Some events/days have limited entry so purchasing tickets ahead online is recommended.
More info: Pumpkin Festival; Raprager Family Farms LLC | Facebook; 813-922-2799
Rambler’s 10 Top Tips for Maximizing Your Fun and Safety
- Bring cash. Even if credit cards are accepted for admission, vendors inside the festivals often do not accept them. However, a few farms make ATMs available.
- Leave your pet at home. Farmers and farm animals appreciate your consideration.
- Parents should accompany children.
- Dress appropriately. You’ll be doing physical activity in rough and bumpy terrain so close-toed shoes are a good idea.
- A flashlight may be needed for nighttime activities.
- Bring bug repellant just in case. And keep an eye out for ants, bees and wasps
hiding somewhere because, hey, it’s a farm. - Weather can dampen the fun. And some farms even suspend activities on rainy days so check farm websites and Facebook pages for updates. Each farm has its own rain date and refund policy.
- Be respectful and don’t litter or go off the maze paths cut into the fields as the damage is irreparable.
- Don’t forget your camera or at least charge up your phone.
- Remember that, by state statute, farms have limited liability for personal injury or loss. Act responsibly and have fun.
To learn more about Florida agritourism:
Agritourism and Farm Tours | Alternative Farming Systems Information Center | NAL | USDA
Visit Florida Farms – Florida Agritourism Association
More Florida Rambler calendars:
- 2022-23 Florida festival calendar: 75 of the best
- 2022 Oktoberfests calendar
- Seafood Festivals calendar
Deborah Hartz-Seeley is a Master Gardener whose yard is certified as Florida Friendly. With a master’s degree in agricultural journalism, she’s written for the Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald, The Coastal Star, Cook’s Magazine, Florida Food & Farm and Florida Design. If she’s not out back growing things, you’ll find her wandering a garden path or exploring nature on foot, on a bike or in a kayak.