A dry start to the growing season had Manager Charles Lambregts worried about this year’s pumpkin crop at Caradoc Mountain Pumpkin Farm, but the farm has ended up with more pumpkins than ever before.
Lambregts, who runs the family business alongside his father, says the farm was concerned it might lose much of its crop when the plants began to dry out. However, the pumpkins recovered, and are thriving.
The farm now has about 80 varieties of pumpkins and squash, giving visitors plenty of choices for decorating their homes this fall. Lambregts says people are often looking for something different from the traditional orange pumpkin.
He says the excitement around pumpkins is part of what makes fall special, with people ready to enjoy the cooler weather, colourful leaves and Halloween season.
The farm’s growth has been building for several years. Lambregts says the business gained more attention during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After road construction made the original location difficult to access, the family moved sales to another part of the property on Glengyle Drive, where it continues to grow.
This year, the farm has added something new to its fall offerings: a corn maze, which is latest step in expanding what the farm can offer the community.
Lambregts says the family is learning as it goes, with friends and family helping as volunteers to bring the experience together. The farm has invested in costumes, props and other decorations, with the hope of making the maze a returning fall attraction.
The response has already been encouraging. After welcoming about 17 people during its first weekend and around 30 to 40 the next, the farm saw roughly 120 visitors over Thanksgiving weekend.
The maze offers two experiences, depending on how much fright visitors are looking for. During the day on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can walk through the maze without the scare actors.
Admission is $5 per person, with children under 10 admitted free.
For those looking for more of a scare, the haunted maze runs on Saturday nights.
Admission to the haunted maze is $20 per person, and children under 10 are also admitted free. All visitors must sign a waiver before entering either version of the maze.
Platinum Key Realty will also be on site this Saturday, handing out free pumpkins and passes to the first couple of visitors. The booth is expected to be open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., so visitors are encouraged to arrive early while supplies last.
Lambregts hopes the community will continue to support the new attraction so the family can keep the attraction going in future years.
The farm will also be open on Halloween night, giving visitors another chance to enjoy the seasonal fun.
