For families looking to enjoy the crisp fall weather, Phillips Farm and other local pumpkin patches have opened for business with COVID-19 safety measures in place.
Michael Phillips, co-owner of the 100-year-old Cary farm, said the additional precautions were worth the effort to ensure families could enjoy its usual attractions, including a corn maze, family fun park, pumpkin patch, sunflower field, fall market and haunted farm.
Michael and Melissa Phillips, shown with their son Gunner, run the family farm in Cary. Photo by Ashley Hess Photography
“We’re a good safe haven here in Cary,” said Phillips, a fourth-generation farmer. “If there’s a place that they want to go to and feel safe, they can. Or, if they don’t want to be around the certain limited crowds that we do have, we have other days that will not be crowded during the week.”
The additional safety measures this year include regular sanitization, spacing out lines, rides and crowds to ensure the safety of guests.
“We have room to roam and things to do, and I feel for other families who don’t have that,” Phillips said. “I couldn’t imagine having to sit in a neighborhood and not have many things to do and my child being inside all the time.”
For those looking for ways to enjoy the fall, here’s a guide to pumpkin patches, hayrides and other fall activities in Western Wake:
Phillips Farm
Goats and other animals can be seen at Phillips Farm.
Phillips Farm, located at 6701 Good Hope Church Road in Cary, is open every weekend through Nov. 1, with additional times on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The $12 cost of admission gives patrons access to the corn maze, wagon ride, cow train, and Family Fun Park. Other attractions on site require additional cash-only charges.
The daytime hours are 3-6 p.m. on Friday; two Saturday sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m; Sunday hours are 1-6 p.m.
The haunted farm costs $15 per person and is open from 7:30-11:30 p.m on Friday and Saturday nights.
For more information about Phillips Farm, please visit phillipsfarmsofcary.com.
DJ’s Berry Patch
This family-owned farm at 1223 Salem Church Road in Apex offers a selection of pre-picked pumpkins, mums, North Carolina apples and cheeses throughout the week.
The stand is open 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6:30 on Sundays.
On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the farm also opens its fields to pick-your-own pumpkins. The price of pumpkins varies by size.
For weekend pumpkin-picking, the field is located between the intersections of Ten Ten and Lake Wheeler roads and Ten Ten Road and U.S. 401.
For more information, please visit DJ’s Berry Patch on Facebook.
Page Farms
For the cost of just $15 per person, admission buys you a lot of family-oriented activities at Page Farms located at 6100 Mt. Herman Rd. in Raleigh.
Masks are required to enter the facilities, where families can enjoy the corn maze, hayride, haystack slide, ride the cow train or pet the farm animals.
Located at 6100 Mt Herman Rd in Raleigh, the price of admission also includes one pumpkin per person.
Page Farms is open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For additional information, please visit pagefarmsraleigh.com.
Ragan and Holly’s Pumpkin Patch
Ragan and Holly’s Pumpkin patch, the same location of Jean’s Berry Patch, is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday at 38 Lewter Shop Road in Apex.
The location offers a selection of pumpkins, mums and other produce all week, along with fall-themed mini doughnuts on the weekends.
The location will not be offering hayrides this year, and all patrons are encouraged to wear a mask when coming out. For additional information, please visit Jean’s Berry Patch / Ragan & Holly’s Pumpkin Patch on Facebook.
