Fall in Phoenix? It Must Be Time for the Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party

Welcome to this month’s Blogorail Peach Loop. Today we are exploring pumpkin patches, family farms, and more Fall fun! Our stop is the Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party!

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It’s fall and in many areas, that brings images of beautiful leaves changing colors and picking apples. In our Arizona desert, though, many of our trees stay green all year and apple orchards are rare. What we do have, though, is an amazing Pumpkin & Chili Party at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, Arizona.

My family has made a visit to the Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party an annual tradition. It wouldn’t be fall without a pumpkin and why get one from a store when you can pick one straight from the patch? Schnepf Farms has two patches to choose from, one with larger pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns and a smaller one for pies or decoration.

Of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the chili. It is great and served with cornbread, corn on the cob, and a brownie. If chili isn’t your thing, they also offer grilled chicken breasts, hot dogs, burgers, corn dogs, pulled pork, brats, succotash, and more. You won’t go hungry!! My son’s favorite treat is the glowing cotton candy. Who knew that serving cotton candy on a glow stick would make the whole thing glow? It’s really fun.

But that’s not all. Schnepf Farms is huge!! We spend much of our time at the amusement park area. There are rides for smaller children like spinning airplanes and lady bugs and honeybees. Older children and adults enjoy the small roller coaster and swings. The tunnel slide built into a small hill is fun and my son really loves the country road rally where one drives a pedal-powered car around a track. This year, they’ve also added a zip line.

What’s a farm without animals? Schnepf Farms has a petting zoo. Get up close and personal with goats, a cow, a horse, and more. There are small machines where food is dispensed (bring quarters) so that guests can feed the animals. For even more fun, kids can enjoy a pony ride, but for me, the best animal attraction is Hillbilly Bob’s Pig Races. Watching those little pigs race around the track is so amusing. They have different colored bandanas so you can cheer your favorite on.

If you’re in for a challenge, try the 10 acre corn maze. I will admit I’ve gotten lost in there once. For less of a challenge, there’s also a smaller corn maze, only 4 acres. Each year, the corn maze is a different design. This year, it’s a picture of Mark Schnepf, one of the owners, which I think is sweet. Past corn maze celebrities have included Oprah Winfrey, Larry Fitzgerald, and Muhammad Ali.

But that’s still not all. There’s a train ride (which is kid-friendly during the day and haunted for older kids and adults after dark), hay rides, jumping pillows (think bounce house without the sides), miniature golf, a rock climbing wall, Lil Farmers Play Yard, Extreme Canine Dog Show, a farmhouse museum, shops (try some of the canned goodies like bread n’ butter pickles, they also sell pie), crafts, bonfires for marshmallow roasting (can be rented for a private party which includes marshmallows, roasting sticks, and picnic tables), and on Friday and Saturday evenings, fireworks.

Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party runs Thursdays through Sundays October 1 – October 30. Hours are Thursdays 10am – 9pm, Fridays & Saturdays 10am – 10pm, and Sundays 10am – 9pm. Tickets are $18 plus tax at the gate. Discounted tickets can be purchased for $15.00 each at any Fry’s location. SRP also has a coupon for buy one, get one free that is valid on Thursdays.

The admission price includes nearly everything including all the shows, the amusement park rides, the petting zoo, and the museum. There is a small fee for the train rides and pony rides. Food, of course, is also extra. For example, the chili meal is $12; hot dogs are $3. Pumpkins are priced by size.

Want to know more? Check out Schnepf Farms’ short 1-minute video.  It’s made me excited to go again this year!!! I can’t wait!

 

For more Fall fun,
check out the other great posts from the Blogorail!

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Here is the map of our Blogorail Peach | Family Adventure | Fall Fun

• 1st Stop – Adventures in Familyhood | New York’s Best Pumpkin Patches
• 2nd Stop – Love Our Crazy Life | Fallon At The Farmstead
• 3rd Stop – Magical Memories with the Mouse | Fall in Phoenix? It Must Be Time for the Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party
• 4th Stop – Heidi’s Head | Adventure Awaits You at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm