Multiple U.S. Pumpkin Patches Open Fall Festivals Despite Local Challenges

Several pumpkin patches and fall festivals have opened across the United States to celebrate the autumn season with family-friendly activities and traditions. Johansen Farms in Bolingbrook, Illinois offers a free market alongside a children's zoo and fall festival running through October with varying admission prices. Boone Hall in South Carolina hosts one of the largest pumpkin patch festivals in the state, featuring a corn maze, petting zoo, live performances, and pumpkin sales. The Carlsbad Strawberry Company in California opened its pumpkin patch with a community fundraising event called Peace Fest, including pony rides and food vendors supporting local schools. Layman Family Farms in Bedford, Virginia, a community staple for over 20 years, continues a family tradition despite challenges from wildlife, emphasizing the joy and memories created during the fall season. In contrast, Cedar Creek Pumpkin Patch in Maize, Kansas, is set to open amid controversy as its owners face child abuse charges. These events highlight the blend of community celebration and, in one case, serious legal issues surrounding pumpkin patches this fall season.