Autumn tradition returns in Elbert County

Nothing says fall quite like a pumpkin patch, and here in Elbert County, The Patch does fall right.

The family-owned, 35-acre pumpkin patch will open for the season on Saturday, Sept. 23. The goal of The Patch is to create a quality environment that fosters a warm-hearted, family fun atmosphere. The owners strive to create a space where families can spend quality time together connecting, playing and making memories.

The 2023 fall harvest season will feature a new location for The Patch at 7500 Highway 86 in Kiowa. This site provides more space for attractions, less wait time for the various activities and is only 10 minutes from the previous location. Here families will enjoy a four-acre corn maze and an old-fashioned hayride, and can take a ride on the Bucking Bronco Train.

This year there will be 20-plus exciting activities including a ropes course, a giant slide, huge jumping pillow, steer roping (using hay bales), horseshoes, a giant rope swing and of course pumpkins of all different sizes. There will also be plenty of picturesque backdrops and fall-themed photo props for family photos. With even more attractions available this year, the kids will be entertained for hours.

Elizabeth resident Andrea Cannella says of The Patch: “I love that each of my kids can do something different because there is something for everyone! This year my oldest is most looking forward to the corn maze.”

If you’ve worked up an appetite after all the activities, snack on some kettle corn or funnel cakes — or The Patch’s homemade apple cider doughnuts. Cannella says: “I love the apple cider donuts! I get two big bags of them when we visit. One for my kids to share and one for me!” For beverages, fresh lemonade, hot apple cider and S’mores hot cocoa are available. Additionally, on select weekends there will be food trucks on site. Visit thepatch.farm for the food trucks’ menus and schedules.

A visit to The Patch is not complete without venturing into the barnyard where kids (and adults too) can meet and pet some friendly farm animals. Visitors will encounter plenty of goats, sheep, pigs, chickens and, new to the farm this season, miniature highland cattle. Cannella mentions: “The animals are always a favorite for my kids, too. They could spend the entire day in there petting them!”

General admission single-day tickets run $24.95 and children 2 and younter are free. Grandparents and those in the military have a discounted ticket price, as do groups of 20 or more people. If you plan to visit The Patch more than once this year, a season pass for $50 might be the way to go.

It takes a lot of work to keep a farm like this running smoothly and The Patch is looking to hire additional staff for the upcoming season. Leadership, supervisor and various other positions are available. Those interested may apply by visiting their website: thepatch.farm.