Embarking on the quest for the perfect autumn pumpkin should always be an extraordinary seasonal journey dedicated to creating smiles, embracing warmth, and crafting joyful fall memories. While opting for a regular pumpkin from the grocery store might be more convenient, it lacks the thrill of the adventure. Moreover, where’s the uniqueness of that choice? Such a decision merely confines your ability to select the ultimate pumpkin for your Halloween jack-o’-lantern.
Instead, why not infuse some diversity into your pumpkin selection process? Not to mention, you’ll create enduring autumn memories that will stand the test of time. So, instead of proceeding to the supermarket, head to these local pumpkin patches in Salem and Marion County, where a delightful array of fall festivities await as you pick the perfect pumpkin!
Fordyce Farm Inc.
7023 Sunnyview Road NE, Salem
503.362.5105
Since 1959, the family-owned and operated Fordyce Farm Inc. has been committed to providing quality products and rich experiences to the Marion community at competitive prices. They’re known for their u-pick berries during the summer, but when fall hits, it’s all about pumpkin patch season. The farm hosts a celebratory Fall Fest each year to commemorate the occasion.
Through October, weekday activities on the farm include a hay fort, indoor hay maze, playground, corn maze, farm storm, u-pick apples, and, of course, the pumpkin patch! During the weekend, additional fun-filled fall activities include a corn cannon, grill station, and hayrides. As they get closer to Halloween, Fordyce Farm likes to unleash the horrors of the haunted corn maze on those who dare to enter.
Bauman’s Farm and Garden
12989 Howell Prairie Road NE, Gervais
503.792.3524
Though Bauman’s Farm and Garden is definitely more than a nursery and a pumpkin patch with its large selection of locally grown produce, tasty bakery, decadent coffee shop, and a garden center one could get lost in, when it comes time for fall, they’re still all about the pumpkin! Only in autumn can you find delicious pumpkin-themed desserts in the bakery, a variety of gifts on site, and a pumpkin patch that’s home to some of the largest pumpkins around.
E.Z. Orchards Farm Market
5504 Hazelgreen Road NE, Salem
503.393.1506
Bringing the community of Salem the bounty of the Willamette Valley since 1929 is E.Z. Orchards Farm Market. Each year, the bountiful market partakes in an annual HarvestFest to kick off the harvest season. The festival runs from the beginning until the end of October, with family fun activities, including hayrides, a petting zoo, face painting, a corn maze, and live music. Naturally, no HarvestFest is complete without an extensive pumpkin patch with plenty to choose from. Guests are invited to search Scarecrow Field at E.Z. Orchards for their perfect pumpkin, with some weighing upwards of 100 pounds and over!
Fir Point Farms
14601 Arndt Road, Aurora
503.678.2455
Providing residents with a country escape this fall harvest season is Fir Point Farms in Aurora. Annually, the farm hosts a Harvest Festival in October that features various fun-filled fall activities. Previous years’ events at Fir Point included paintball shooting, a giant slide, Noah’s Ark, a Nature Trail, a Nut House, a Corn Hole Toss, an Animal Petting Zoo, and a Beer Garden alongside stand fall favorites such as pumpkin painting, corn mazes, hay wagon rides, and the reason for the season, U-Pick pumpkin patches!
Vince Woods Farm
6435 62nd Avenue NE, Salem
503.393.0120
In 1963, Vince Woods began cultivating pumpkins at his Salem residence on Hawthorne Avenue. When people started inquiring to purchase them at his door, the Vince Woods U-Pick Pumpkin Patch was born. Eventually, it moved to its current location on 62nd Avenue with its vast amount of acreage in 1974, and ever since, they’ve been providing fresh, quality pumpkins to those in search of Halloween jack-o-lanterns with the return of fall. In addition to their large selection of pumpkins, both big and small, the farm also offers squash and ornamental corn for all your fall decorating needs.
French Prairie Gardens
17673 French Prairie Road NE, St Paul
503.633.8445
Managed by the Pohlschneider Family, French Prairie Gardens began as a roadside stand in 1987. By 1995, they built a farm market, which has since grown to include a scratch bakery, a complete garden center, and numerous enjoyable agri-tourism events. Visitors here can celebrate the arrival of fall with their annual sunflower festival and pumpkin patch. Guests attending the Sunflower Festival in September can experience six acres of over 100,000 sunflowers in various colors and sizes.
Return to French Prairie Gardens in October to enjoy the farm’s transformation as the land of flowers turns into a six-acre corn maze with games inside. Other autumn fun includes a 175-foot double mega ride & slide and the Pigtucky Derby Pig Races. Once you’ve had your fill of fall fun, head over to the 12-acre pumpkin patch, home to over 20 different varieties for that perfect jack-o-lantern for all things Halloween.
In Salem and all of Marion County, the quest for the perfect pumpkin isn’t just a search. It’s an autumn adventure that brings smiles, warmth, and cherished memories. As we explore local pumpkin patches, remember the journey to find your ideal pumpkin is as meaningful as the end result. So, embrace the variety, visit these charming patches, and let the spirit of fall guide you toward your very own masterpiece — the perfect pumpkin for your jack-o-lantern. Happy pumpkin picking!
