Pumpkin Daze at Abbey Farms in Aurora focuses on fall fun

This fall, Abbey Farms in Aurora is offering visitors a total immersion experience into the fall season with its annual Pumpkin Daze.

The fall-themed family event kicked off Sept. 20 and runs Wednesday through Sunday through Oct. 30 at Abbey Farms, 2855 Hart Road in Aurora.

Visitors to the ticketed event are treated to activities including a petting zoo, tractor tunnel, zip lines, corn cannon, tractor and hayrides, corn maze, grain basketball and more.

And of course, there are pumpkins.

Eric Mott, manager of Abbey Farms, said the event has been going for about 16 years and has continued to attract more and more attention during that time.

The event has seen attendance increase week over week since its opening on September 20 “as we move further into the fall season.”

“Our September is off to a slow start, but from October onwards things really start to pick up and we had over 1,700 a day the first weekend of this month,” he said.

Mott said the zip lines, giant inflatable cushion and hay ride remain among the most popular attractions, along with “people going out and picking their own pumpkin.”

“The corn maze is a challenge and our mega slides are great attractions too,” he said. “In terms of attendance, every year is a little different, and the weather plays a big role from year to year. Overall, we’ve been steady in terms of attendance. We know there are other fall options, but we’re trying to focus on family fun and getting people to leave the cell phones behind and just come and have a good time.”

Lauren Riordan and her husband Kyle of Lombard said Saturday they had been to the event before and found the corn maze was indeed a challenge.

“We’ve been here before. We actually got married here when they were doing weddings,” Lauren Riordan said. “I think people always come back to the fact that it’s a fun, family environment. You can have fun with kids and adults, too.”

Brittney Ginter of Warrenville and her daughter Alejandra, 7, were receiving pumpkins Saturday and planned to go home and decorate them.

“There are a lot of places to buy pumpkins, but we come here because it’s local,” Ginter said. “We love the kids’ activities and the big slide.”

“I like looking at pumpkins,” Alejandra said. “I also like taking pictures with the pumpkins and I like mazes and apple cider donuts.”

Laura and Matt Lotz of Batavia had their children in a wagon at the event Saturday and said they came “looking for a pumpkin patch.”

“We saw the signs of this all the time and we went out here and it worked out pretty well for these guys,” Matt Lotz said of his kids. “There’s a lot more to do here than we have time for since the kids have to take a nap. We walked through the tunnels and visited the petting zoo and the cows. It’s been a day on the farm.”

For more information about Pumpkins Daze at Abbey Farms, visit https://abbeyfarms.org/pumpkin-daze/

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.