All The Fall Things!!!
Birmingham, AL Photographer
Get ready for all things fall. I promised my husband I’d wait until October 1st to bust out all of the pumpkin things but the struggle was real…Really real.
If you’re into pumpkin season, football, cool crisp air, yummy foods, and all the fall activities and events then keep scrolling to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Let’s start with some of the best pumpkin patches in the Birmingham area:
- The Great Pumpkin Patch – This one is an annual tradition for us and our family. This pumpkin patch is located in Hayden and admission is free. You pay individually for activities like inflatables and carnival style rides, a wagon ride to the patch (with or without a pumpkin), food, a petting zoo, face painting, etc. There is so much for everyone to choose from so no one leaves empty handed. There is also a small general store on site and usually live music as well. There is a pork and green dish that we absolutely can not leave without and the fried pies are phenomenal!
- Penton Farms Pumpkin Patch – This patch was a first for us this year and it did not disappoint. It was a bit of a drive for us to Verbena but well worth the trip. Admission was $12 (for entry and 1 pumpkin each for everyone over 2) but included everything except food and 1 additional ride. There are slides galore, a cow milking station (not real cows), corn pits (that we literally had to drag our 4 year old out of), hamster wheels, bike tracks, so many swings, a tractor dig, a basketball game, a petting zoo, and of course a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch. Everyone was so kind, the pumpkin selection in the market as well as the patch was superb (and well priced), and the Conecuh dog (be sure to add peppers and onions) and funnel cake were our favorite food picks. Be sure to grab a glass bottle drink too for the full pumpkin patch experience.
- 4D farms in Cullman – This patch is always a good time! Visit their site for early bird prices and weekday options. Admission on the weekends was about $17 otherwise and included hayrides, slides, the cow train, and most of the activities except pony rides, the corn canon, and mining for gemstones. I enjoy this one because it’s open after Halloween so you don’t have to go on a crowded October day.
- Helena Hollow – If you’ve not been to Helena Hollow make sure you make the trip this year. Obviously located in Helena, this patch offers hayrides, swings, slides, a petting zoo, a climbing wall and 25 attractions overall all included in admission. Tickets are $15 at the gate but you can get discounted tickets online. Also, Friday tickets are a cheaper option as well.
- Pumpkin Junction at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum – Fun for the whole family complete with pumpkin patch and a train ride. This pumpkin patch is a smaller scale but perfect for an entire family and my kiddos love love love the train ride to the patch. There are several food and drink vendors, including local favorite Ozan winery (wink wink and make sure you try and or buy the Founder’s Cut Apple, which is also delicious served over vanilla ice cream), there are tons of games as well. Tickets are $18 for 2 and older. Such a fun experience.
- Hidden Rivers Farm – Located in Hartselle and full of an entire day of fun. Here’s the kicker (pun slightly intended) that even the dads will love, there’s a game day viewing area so that you don’t have to miss a second of college football on an Alabama Saturday. This patch is full of pumpkins, mazes, nature trails, and so much more. Weekend passes are $9 at the gate for anyone over 2. I think there’s an advance ticket purchasing option online but I’m not sure if there are any discounted prices included with that.
- Griffin Farm of West Blocton – We have never visited this patch but it’s on our list of to do’s this pumpkin season. In addition to swings, slides, and hayrides, this patch also features bouncy houses and zip lines as well as a rock climbing wall. It sounds perfect for all ages. Admission is $10 for 2 and up and includes the first climb or ride in the ticket price. We can’t wait to check this one out!
- Old Baker Farm – If horse rides and hay bale mazes are your thing than make sure you make the trip to Harpersville this fall. Admission includes pumpkin and tractor ride to the patch. Food and arts and crafts are additional charges.
- Faye Whittemore Farms – This farm turned pumpkin patch, located in Jasper, boasts a variety of activities including a petting zoo, hay maze, moonwalk, inflatable slides, an obstacle course, fishing, face painting, and an all new pirate ship playground. Complete with a hayride to the pumpkin patch, admission is $12 per person. Pumpkins are sold at farm prices plus 40 cents per pound.
- Sims Garden – This is kind of a secret spot and it’s located right in the middle of Homewood. This is the most darling little pumpkin patch full of mums and pumpkins and “scarecrowtches” as my little one calls them. Minimal crowds, not too much walking, perfect for little ones to small to enjoy all that pumpkin patches have to offer but still want to get in on the photo worthy spaces this fall season.
- Witt’s Market – This isn’t a pumpkin patch but I love supporting local farmers and sometimes you just want to grab some pumpkins without the inflatable and face paints. Witt’s is located off of Snow Rodgers Road in Gardendale and has a wonderful selection of pumpkins at great prices. I always have to shop fruits and veggies and plants while I’m there too.
Now that we’ve covered pumpkins and patches, I’ll give you a list of all of the fall festivals and entertainment near you:
- Meadow View Elementary Fall Festival – Held October 6th and featuring vendors and concessions as well as inflatables and carnival style games
- Gardendale Elementary School Fall Carnival – This is GESs biggest fundraiser of the year and such a fun time for all! Music, class booths, carnival rides, food trucks, a spooky bridge, dunking booth, and more. This event is held at the Gardendale Civic Center Friday October 7th and starts at 5 PM.
- Riverchase Community Church Fall Festival – FREE FREE FREE festival October 8th including food, inflatables, dunk tanks, and more.
- Shelby Iron Works Park Fall Festival – Also on October 8th, this day is a fun time for all. There’s a country store, vendors, and even demonstrations of old time traditions like syrup making, blacksmithing, and operating a giant sawmill.
- Fall Craft Show – October 8th is a busy weekend with Cahaba Brewing hosting a fall craft show full of so many local vendors. Swing by The Market at Pepper Place and then stop by Cahaba Brewing to check out this event.
- Grand Riverfest – Where GRAND is certainly an understatement. This event will be held October 9th and has more than 80 vendors on site for you to enjoy arts, crafts, fashion, balloon art, face painting, inflatables, and some of the yummiest food. And the best part is that admission is FREE!!!
- Healthy Harvest Festival – This is the 3rd annual festival happening October 10th and sponsored by Lifestyle Management, Central Alabama Research, SpineGroup Alabama, Fyzical Therapy, and Southeast Clinical Lab. They will have shops and obstacle courses and fun prizes for all. Oh and my favorite part, food trucks like Gumbo to Geaux, Southern Coffee and Waffles, and more.
- Grace House 9th Annual Pumpkin Festival – Happening October 14th, this is fun for all every year and a wonderful opportunity to fundraise for the local community. Pumpkins, food trucks, and tons of games for everyone in the family.
- Oak Mountain State Park Harvest Festival – This is an annual festival, held October 22nd, that is quite literally the epitome of fall for us. From the nature trail tours, guided hikes, and colors of the changing leaves to the pony rides, yard games, and bounce houses you are sure to find something to put a smile on everyones face. Come by and enjoy the local artists and delicious food trucks.
- Hoots and Howls at the Zoo – This event is obviously held at the Birmingham Zoo and is every Saturday and Sunday for the last 3 weekends in October. Your little animals are encouraged to wear their costumes and trick or treat through the candy trails, shake their tail feathers for the Monster Mash dance party, enjoy the train ride through the zoo, or ride any animal of choice…On the carousel of course. 😉
I think that covers pumpkin patches and just a few of the many fun fall festivals near you.
Be sure to also check out local schools and churches for their festivals as well as trunk or treat fun! I hope you all have a wonderful fall, enjoy the changing of the seasons, and be sure to check back in a few days for a small list of local fall coffee spaces and specials that you must try!
Amy P Photography
Birmingham Newborn & Family Photographer
My studio is located in Fultondale, Alabama (see the space)
info@amypphotography.com | 205.540.0224
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