By Kristina Schnack Kotlus, Contributing Writer
By the time you read this, your children will likely be starting their school year. With pencils sharpened and school supplies purchased, it’s time to look ahead to
some fall fun. In our family, we like to stay outside as long as we can, and there are lots of opportunities to enjoy the autumn weather in our area.
Pumpkin Patches
■ Lake Ridge Nursery opens its pumpkin patch Sept. 22. It runs through Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with the last admission at 7 p.m. The pumpkin patch has many activities for kids, including moon bounces, a rope swing, a zip line, slides, a haunted greenhouse and more.
Admission per child is $12 Monday through Thursday and $15 Friday through Sunday and Columbus Day. Admission includes a snack. Concessions are available for purchase, too. Pumpkins are sold by the pound. Lake Ridge Nursery is located at 3705 Old Bridge Road in Lake Ridge. For more information, call 703-590-0178.
■ Evergreen Acres offers a no-frills, organic pumpkin patch. There’s a hayride to the fields where pumpkins can be picked on the vine, and no admission or parking fees. Call for hours and times or to arrange a weekday visit. Organic pumpkins are available for purchase at $1 per pound. Regular pumpkins are 50 cents per pound. Leashed dogs are welcome. Pack a picnic and purchase drinks from the “sales shed.” Gourds, popcorn and organic pumpkin pie are also available for purchase. Evergreen Acres is located at 12801 Hazelwood Drive in Nokesville and can be reached at 703-594-3330.
■ Old Mine Ranch features a pre-picked pumpkin patch. It also includes hayrides, a petting zoo, pony rides and farm fun. Currently closed for construction, the ranch is scheduled to open its patch in October. Before you go, call to confirm dates is located at 17504 Mine Road in Dumfries and can be contacted at 703-441-1382.
■ Yankey Farms opens its pumpkin patch Sept. 29 through Oct. 28, weekends only. The patch is open Saturdays 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. and Sundays noon till 6 p.m. There’s no admission fee. This patch includes three acres of pumpkins and also has a cow train for the kids and a corn maze. Ornamentals, pumpkins and hay are available for purchase. Plan to bring cash or a check to pay; credit cards are not accepted. Yankey Farms is located at 13007 Vint Hill Road in Nokesville. For more information about Yankey Farms, call 703-618-3782.
Fall Festivals
Beginning mid-September, local churches will put out information on their fall festivals or “Trunk-or-Treats.” Since there are too many to list individually, check with nearby churches to find these fun and free events.
The 31st Annual Fall Jubilee will be held Oct. 5 in Old Town Manassas from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. The Jubilee includes live entertainment, craft booths, children’s rides and activities, a pumpkin patch and free admission to the Manassas Museum.
Prince William County Farm Tour
The farm tour is one of our family favorites, especially the alpaca farm (Clover Meadows Farm at 15618 Vint Hill Road in Gainesville, www.alpacanation.com). It takes place Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 29, from noon till 4 p.m. During this time, a number of area farms invite the public to learn about farm life in our community.
Visit http://www.pwcfarmtour.org to download an activity book, tour map and contact information for the various farms participating.
Have a happy fall!
Kristina Schnack Kotlus is a local mother of three children and the owner of PWCMoms.com, a resource for parents and families in Prince William County. Visit her site or Facebook page for an events calendar, reviews and more ideas for fall fun.
