It's pumpkin patch season and a Halloween unlike no other. COVID-19 has changed a lot of fall traditions. Here's a look at area pumpkin producers to get your gourds.ย
Did we miss one? Email chris.coates@lee.net.
Big M Pumpkin Patch, 928 E 1090 North Road, Taylorville, (217) 824-6625.ย
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 28; by appointment during week.
Hay mazes, pumpkin picking or gathering, hay rides, school tours, gourds, stalks, bale mazes, 5-acre corn maze.ย
Bartโs Pumpkin Patch, 9381 W. Wise Road, Warrensburg
Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 31. (217) 454-01105. www.blackbartspumpkinpatch.com.
Pumpkins gathered or to pick, haunted house, prepicked produce, gift shop, wooden ship, petting zoo, corn maze, wood maze, childrenโs haunted house. Childrenโs play area open weekends. Bring a mask to wear when you are indoors or not able to social distance. There will be NO face signs, barrel train and hayride this year. NO pets. Check our Facebook page for special events.
Buxtonโs Garden Farm & Flower Shop, Route 121, Sullivan
Open daily; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday (217) 728-7993. E-mail: paula@buxtonsgarden.com; buxtonsgarden.com. Check our Facebook page for special events.
Pumpkins, gathered or to pick; mums, gift shop, restrooms.ย
Daniken Tree Farm, 781 Illinois 140, Pocahontasย ย
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31. (618) 664-4067, (618) 664-4067. E-mail: canaanchamp@yahoo.com; danikentreefarm.com.
Pumpkins, gathered or to pick; corn maze, wagon rides, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area, playground.ย
Gailโs Pumpkin Patch, 1709 2000th Ave., Beason
Open noon to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, through Oct. 31. (217) 447-3409. gail@gailspumpkinpatch.com; gailspumpkinpatch.com.
Pick your own and roadside market including pumpkins, gourds, squash, ornamental corn, Nateโs Honey, crafts, straw bales, mums, barrel train ride, toddler maze, tike track, barn slide, roller slide, corn boxes, cider, apples, antique tractors, roller slide, toddler corner, goats, popcorn wagon ride and pick your own popcorn ears, pumpkin play barn and Abbyโs baked goods including apple cider donuts.ย
Grissom Lost Creek Orchard, 680 Route 130, Greenup
Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; Oct. to Dec.: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 pm. Sunday. (217) 923-3736.
Pumpkins, gourds, mums, hiking trails, petting zoo, maze.ย
Indian Knoll pumpkins, 2850 N 1000 E Road, Mechanicsburg
Joe Adkins, the four-time Pumpkin King of Illinois, set a goal for the year: He would grow a very large pumpkin in his yard, a fruit that weig…
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Columbus Day and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday starting Sept. 15 through Oct. 21. By appointment only on weekdays. (217) 827-0317. E-mail: pennybliler@gmail.com; Facebook indianknollpumpkins.com
Pumpkins, bittersweet and decorated pumpkins, large selection of specialty pumpkins and gourds, kettle corn, elephant ears, caramel apples, wagon rides, farm animals, apple cider, barrel train, face painting, pumpkin painting, burgers, brats, hand-dipped corn dogs, cider slushies and fresh baked goodsย
The Great Pumpkin Patch, 1749A County Road 1900 N., Arthur
The Great Pumpkin Patch side of the farm will not be open to visitors. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, there will be no mazes or wagon rides, no indoor retail spaces or concessions, no animals or displays. The Homestead Bakery and Cucurbit Market will be open until Oct. 31, Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wagon Wheel Pumpkin Farm, 16578 Airport Road, Clinton
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. (217) 736-2470 Facebook wagonwheelpumpkinfarm.com
Pumpkins gathered, pick-your-own apples, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized hay bale maze, restrooms, picnic area, corn box, animals, hayrack rides, playground area and cafรฉ.ย ย
Illinois officials have released trick-or-treating guidelines. Here are the highlights.
THE SUGGESTIONS
In a news release pointing out that โthe safest way to celebrate is to stay home,โ IDPH said trick-or-treaters this year should only travel with other members of their household.
Both trick-or-treaters and those passing out candy must wear masks and maintain a 6-foot distance at all times. That means the latter group should consider leaving the candy outside.
'BEST TOOLS'
โโIDPH recognizes that some who will choose to gather together anyway, and instead of denying that reality, we are issuing guidance and recommendations for safer ways to celebrate together in person,โ IDPH Director Dr.ย Ngozi Ezikeย said in a statement. โRemember, we know what our best tools are: wearing our masks, keeping our distance, limiting event sizes, washing your hands, and looking out for public health and each other.โ
WHAT ABOUT MASKS?
โAs for costumes, people will need to add proper face coverings to their getups. A Halloween mask usually doesnโt fit that bill, according to the release. If itโs impossible to breathe with both a cloth and costume mask on, trick-or-treaters must discard the latter one. And people should not eat the candy they collect without washing their hands, the release said.
One alternative that health officials suggested was setting up tables with spaced-out candy, so trick-or-treaters can do a lap while maintaining 6 feet of distance, perhaps with reserved time slots.
PHASE 4
โThe release also issued a reminder that haunted houses are prohibited under Gov. J.B. Pritzkerโs phase four reopening plan, but one-way haunted forests or walks are doable as long as 6-foot distance is maintained.
Adult or bar parties have to follow the limit of 50 people or under 50% of the buildingโs maximum capacity, whichever is fewer. Hay rides also must not exceed the 50% capacity.
