Pumpkinland features hayride

Vernon — The 2009 Pumpkinland Festival at Heaven Hill Farm in Vernon offers a variety of country-style family entertainment for festival-goers of all ages, through Nov. 1, including Columbus Day. The festival will kick off with loads of affordable family entertainment, including an old-fashioned hayride. Visitors can stroll through pumpkin patches bursting with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes and find that perfect one to take home to carve. A Pigtucky Derby will also be held and visitors can pick their favorite pig to win. “We’ve put our focus on providing the best family entertainment of the fall season, offering it all for the price of admission to the festival,” said Martin Theobald, Heaven Hill Farm owner. Theobald said that admission prices to Pumpkinland will remain at last year’s level, at $6 general admission, and free for children under the age of 3. Children of all ages can feed the farm animals and learn the work habits of bees with an up-close look inside their hives. Those willing to get lost in the twisted paths of the hay maze and hay crawl may find themselves right on top of Hay Mountain. For the more adventurous, the corn maze tempts the curiosity, challenging visitors to seek a way out of 10 acres of Jersey corn stalks and the Boo Barn offers animated entertainment. Other highlights available (for a fee) include panning for gem stones at the all new Gem Mining attraction and taking a spin through the new Vortex Tunnel. Returning favorites include designing a customized sand art masterpiece and choosing a personalized “tattoo” at the face painting booth. Bone-chilling terror can be found along the trails of fear on the Haunted Acres Hayride every Friday and Saturday, through Oct. 30, from 7 to 10 p.m. Festival-goers can again sample true festival food, like corn dogs, sausage and peppers, French fries, ice cream, funnel cakes, cider, donuts and bakery treats, including the farm’s very own fresh baked pies. New this year are deep-fried cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies. Established in 1983, Heaven Hill Farm is a 150-acre working farm and full service garden center. For additional information and directions, call 973-64-5144 or visit www.heavenhillfarm.com.