<a rel="attachment wp-att-2199" href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2010/09/pumpkin-patch-7-ways/dsc07432/"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2199" title="Carmichael's Pumpkin Patch" src="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/DSC07432-500x375.jpg" alt="Carmichael's Pumpkin Patch" width="500" height="375" /></a>

October gets started later this week, and you know what that means: Pumpkin patches are open! Oh, squee!
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<a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2008/10/7-ways-to-not-find-real-pumpkin-patch.html">Prowling for pumpkin patches is one of my very favorite things to do</a>, and it's a big reason why fall is my favorite time of year. The babies in pea pod costumes, the tractor-pulled hayrides and the profuse amounts of candy don't exactly damper my enthusiasm.

<strong>Plus, pumpkin patches aren't just pumpkin patches anymore.</strong> They're entertainment powerhouses, chock full of activities for kids and adults alike, from pumpkin bowling to corn mazes to pony rides to carnivals. Long story short, things big, round and orange aren't all you'll see when you head out with the kids on your hunt for the best jack-o-lantern this year.

I have one piece of advice when it comes to setting out for a local pumpkin patch: <a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/2008/10/7-ways-to-not-find-real-pumpkin-patch.html">Don't be like me</a>. Don't set out a half hour before sunset totally clueless as to the location of the nearest pumpkin patch and, in your total lack of consideration and kindness, drag along your entire family. In the end, you'll have to atone for your sins by baking batch after batch of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.

Wait. Did I just frame the baking of batches and batches of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins as a negative scenario? What kind of world are we living in, I ask. What kind of world?

Even if five pounds of hot, spicy muffins cooling on your windowsill won't bother you any, you can still spare your family the misery of driving around aimlessly in the hinterlands. Simply consult this list of Tulsa-area pumpkin patches. Enjoy!

<strong>Carmichael's Pumpkin Patch</strong>
When: Daily in October; Monday-Saturday, 9am-7pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm
Where: 171st and Mingo in Bixby
Phone: (918) 366-4728
Web: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bixby-OK/Carmichaels-Pumpkin-Patch/142842227641?v=wall&amp;ref=share">Carmichael's Pumpkin Patch</a>
A real Tulsa family favorite, Carmichael's offers everything from pumpkins to Halloween decorations. Look alos for the petting zoo, pony rides and hay rides, oh my.

<strong>First United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch</strong>
When: Sept. 30-Oct. 31, Sunday-Friday, noon-dusk; Saturdays, 9am-dusk
Where: First United Methodist Church in Owasso, 13800 E. 106th Street North
Phone: (918) 272-5731
Web: <a href="http://www.fumcowasso.org/">fumcowasso.org</a>
This mission of this pumpkin patch? To offer a safe and fun fall activity for families to enjoy year after year. And how: During the month of October, look for a car show, a pumpkin patch cafe featuring breakfast burritos, homemade chicken and noodles and pumpkin goodies; an outdoor classroom; a craft fair; a cake decorating contest; a safety fair; a fall carnival; a 5K, an authentic Indian taco lunch; and a trunk-or-treat and glow fest. You can even have your birthday party at this place if you want.

<strong>Livesay Orchards Pumpkin Patch</strong>
When: Weekends in October; Saturdays, 10am-5pm; Sundays, 1-4pm
Where: 39232 E. 231 St. South in Porter
Phone: (918) 483-2102
Web: <a href="http://livesayorchards.com/livesay_orchards_pumpkin_patch.htm">Livesay Orchards Pumpkin Patch</a>
Two words: Pumpkin bowling. Catch this and more, including an assortment of pumpkins and fall decorations at this pumpkin patch in Porter. The Livesay Pumpkin Playland features a kids' play area, a hay bale maze, a farm-related learning center and a mini pumpkin hunt. Admission is $3, which includes a hayride to the pumpkin patch. See? Porter isn't just for peaches.

<strong>Pleasant Valley Farms</strong>
When: Everyday, 9am-dark, Oct. 1-31
Where: 22350 W. 71st Street in Sand Springs
Phone: (918) 248-5647
Pleasant Farms isn't just that place out west that sells Christmas trees. This fall, find tractor-pulled hay rides, a petting zoo and numerous varieties of pumpkin and winter squash at the farm southwest of that perennial, Oklahoma-centric attraction, DiscoveryLand.

<strong>Pumpkin Town</strong>
When: Daily from Sept. 25-Oct. 31; Mon-Thurs. 10am-7pm; Fri-Sat. 9am-8pm; Sun. 11am-7pm
Where: 9707 E. 81st Street
Phone: (918) 307-8619
Web: <a href="http://www.pumpkintownok.com/">Pumpkin Town</a>
How do you like the sound of pony rides, daily hay rides and face painting? Not to mention the thousands of pumpkins, gourds and squashes, plus the plethora of Halloween décor available at the one, the only Pumpkin Town. <a href="http://www.pumpkintownok.com/">Check the Web site for a listing of special events</a> each weekend in October.

<strong>Pumpkin Town at The Castle at Muskogee</strong>
When: Starting Oct. 1; Fridays and Saturdays and Sunday, Oct. 31, from 6-10pm
Where: The Castle at Muskogee, 3400 W. Fern Mountain Road
Phone: (918) 687-3625
Web: <a href="http://www.okcastle.com/Halloween.html">okcastle.com/Halloween.html</a>
There's more going on at The Castle besides fireworks and Renaissance festivals. Get pumpkins of all sizes this Halloween, along with a carving station, pony rides, a child-sized hay bale maze, a hay ride, a bounce house, concessions and plenty of photo opps. If you're feeling like a scare, stick around for <a href="http://okcastle.com/Halloween.html">The Castle's annual Halloween Festival</a>, which offers a little something for everyone.

<strong>Shay's Landscaping, Nursery &amp; Pumpkin Patch</strong>
When: Starting Oct. 1, Mon.-Fri., 4-7pm; Sat., 9am-dark
Where: 2700 Yorman Road in Bartlesville
Phone: (918) 248-5647
If you're the type who'd rather pick your pumpkin yourself rather than hoist one from a grocery store shelf, a trip to Bartlesville's Shay's pick-your-own Pumpkin Patch is in order. There's no shortage of fall activities to enjoy up US 75 – adult- and kid-sized mazes, tractor-pulled hayrides and pony rides are just a few of the diversions available at Shay's.

<strong>Shepherd's Pumpkin Festival</strong>
When: Oct. 7-Oct. 30, Thurs., Fri. and Sat.; 10am-6:30pm
Where: 16792 E. 450 Road in Claremore
Phone: (918) 342-5911
Web: <a href="http://www.shepherdscross.com/pumpkinfestival.html">Shepherd's Pumpkin Festival</a>
The pumpkin patch at Shepherd's offers a petting zoo, autumn-inspired games, story times, a maze made of hay and a hands-on learning center, all free of charge. Hayrides are $4, and scarecrow making is $2 if you bring your own clothes to stuff. Pumpkins, gourds and all manner of fall décor are available at prices ranging 50 cents-$12.25.

Several of these patches offer special deals for large groups looking for a tour. Be sure to call ahead so the folks in charge at the patches can accommodate you. A word of advice from someone who knows from experience: Always contact the patch you intend to visit before you go. As are all things in the ag world, hours are subject to change.

I'm sure I'm not the only who who'd love to learn more about the pumpkin patches hosted by Tulsa-area churches. If you belong to a church selling pumpkins this fall, leave pertinent info in the comments.

If you don't see your favorite local pumpkin patch on this list, <a href="http://www.tashadoestulsa.com/contact/">let me know</a>.

Happy pumpkin hunting, everyone!