Maple Ridge pumpkin patch offers 20 varieties and family activities

Laity Pumpkin Patch has 20 varieties growing in its fields, from warty gourds and green and yellow pumpkins to traditional orange ones. Tania and Ken Laity run the farm on Laity Street, south of 128 Avenue. Business has been steady since the patch opened Sept. 26, with customers coming from across the Lower Mainland to choose pumpkins or take photos in front of displays including a pumpkin village, a horse-drawn carriage and a classic car.

Activities are geared to children aged five to 13. They include animals, a glow tent, a race maze, a corn maze and a large games area. On weekends, visitors can also use an inflatable pumpkin bouncer and watch a pumpkin cannon. Ken said the farmer ninja obstacle course is always a favourite, where children can run and tackle the obstacles.

Logan, 7, and Avery, 5, visited on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 13, with their parents, Kelsey and Tyler, their grandmother Kelly and their aunt Breanne. Both enjoy carving pumpkins and had carved one each the day before. Logan carved the face of Pikachu, a character from Pokémon; Avery carved a smiling Stitch head. They continued looking at more pumpkins while taking part in the farm activities.

The farm is displaying a 1,144-pound pumpkin this year, provided by local grower Trevor Halliday, who is known for growing giant gourds. Pumpkins for customers range from about one pound to 40 or 50 pounds, and all are still available. Ken said the crop had a good growing season despite getting less rain than they would have liked. A successful season depends on luck, rain arriving at the right time and finding varieties suited to the conditions. “It’s years of figuring out what works and what doesn’t work,” he said.

The south-side patch at 12725 Laity St. in Maple Ridge is open through Saturday, Oct. 31. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, with tickets at $13 each, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends, with tickets at $16. On Friday, Oct. 23, a professional development day for SD42, the patch will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children aged two and younger are admitted free. A concession is open on weekends and holidays.

The Laity Pumpkin Patch on the north side, at 21145 128 Ave., has different hours and activities aimed at children up to age five. Information about both patches is at https://laitypumpkinpatch.com/.