Wilkerson's Local Pumpkin Patch FREE

If you want to have some easy fun in South Denver, head to Wilkerson's Produce, a neighborhood produce stand and pumpkin patch. You can wander around the pumpkin patch for FREE. Nothing fancy here, but they have a ton of locally grown corn stalks, straw bales, pumpkins and gourds to purchase. Don't miss their apples and pears, delish this time of year. Located at 1976 S. Elati St., (south of Overland Golf Course), Denver, 303-744-8419. A little tricky to find, because it is a residential area, so use this map or call them for directions.

Giant Pumpkin Contest in Littleton FREE 9/24

Get ready for the X-Games of garden vegetables today, Sept.. 24, at the Rocky Mountain Giant Vegetable Growers, sixth annual weigh-off at Jared’s Nursery and Garden Center in Littleton. FREE admission. You can also purchase cool and exotic pumpkins (along with the usual orange types), corn stalks and other seasonal ornamentals from Jareds. But the true stars of the show are the extreme giant pumpkins, gourds, sunflowers, tomatoes and more. Last year the contest produced the state's largest pumpkin, a 1,283-pound mammoth. That was 150 pounds more than the previous year's winner. You have to wonder what they'll come up with this year. I recommend that you bring the kids and a camera to this perennial favorite event.

Jareds is a great garden center and they really know how to throw a harvest fest. In addition to viewing giant veggies, the event includes a straw maze, an obstacle course, Jared's Galleria of Ghouls and a story teller. Don't miss the dog costume contest either. Also, there will be food vendors including ice cream, hot dogs, bbq and fresh roasted hatch chili peppers. A bouncy castle and face painting will be available for a small fee. The event starts at 10 am on with the Junior division (under 16) weigh-off, and the Senior division (over 16) will start at approximately 11am. Those interested in entering a pumpkin in the competition can do so for $15. In addition to Giant Pumpkins, you can enter long gourds, giant squash and tomatoes at no charge. This is one of our favorite events that we visit every year. Visit www.jaredsgarden.com. Jared's is located at 10500 W Bowles Ave. Littleton,

DENVER METRO AFFORDABLE FALL FUN

Can't afford to celebrate the Autumn Equinox in Chichen Itza this year? Yeah. I know. Me either. But you can still celebrate the season locally with this round-up of local and affordable pumpkin patches, corn mazes, harvest festivals, etc. Just the kind of stuff you need to psyche you up for fall. If you are looking for more agra-tainment ideas, check out the Colorado Department of Agriculture website listings.

On Saturday, Oct. 2 and Sunday Oct. 3, don't miss Four Mile Historic Park Pumpkin Fest, which runs from 10AM to 4PM. Admission FREE but there are charges for pumpkins and some activities.  They have a costume bank that you can pick from, so you can dress for an ‘old-timey’ photo in front of the Four Mile House. Or you can enter a pie eating contest or win something yummy in an old-fashioned cake walk. You can pick out a pumpkin, enjoy music, games, crafts or build your own scarecrow. There will be plenty of food available including homemade caramel apples and other goodies. Be sure to visit the mountain men and Native American encampment, take a horse-drawn ride and tour Four Mile House, Denver’s oldest standing structure. All proceeds support the park's educational programs. 

The Nation’s Only Haunted Vet Hospital resides in Denver, Colorado, and is actually a pet-friendly event. It isn’t actually a haunted animal hospital, it’s just an animal hospital dressed up for Halloween. he donation money is going to help homeless pets and “Denver’s Finest Pet’s Vet,” Dr. Edward Garcia DVM and his non-profit clinic. For decades, Dr. Garcia has devoted his money, heart and expertise to help homeless pets, elderly people and poverty stricken individuals throughout the Denver metro area. If you are in the Denver area, go check it out every Friday and Saturday in October from 5-10PM. In addition to a spooky trail and haunted rooms, filled with creepy creatures, you and your dog can visit a pet psychic, pet caricature artist, pet supply vendors or pet photographer. $10 admission for adults, kids and pets FREE. Located near I70-Pecos at 1050 W. 47th. You can buy tix or donate at Pets 4 People.

If you love horses, or have a kid who loves them, scurry down to the Colorado Horse Park in Parker for Halloween With Horses. The event is Oct. 16, 10AM-6PM. Bring a can of food and get $1 off the admission, which is kids under 2 FREE abd everyone else $14.  This event is one of the most amazing horse costume contests I have ever witnessed and, if you don't believe me, check out the pix on their website. Radio Disney will be on hand to provide music and games from 12-2PM. Horse entertainment, including the Westernaires, runs throughout the day. Also, horse and pony rides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, a 'Stable of Terror' and  face painting, crafters, etc. Plenty of chow to eat. And you won't want to miss my personal favorite event of the day, the Jack Russell races. Everyone is encouraged to wear a costume.  7375 Bayou Gulch Road, Parker. Free parking off Bayou Gulch Road. For more info, check out their Facebook page (which offers more great photos of horses in costume) or call 303 8415550 x110.


The Botanic Gardens also hosts its annual Pumpkin Festival at the Chatfield site on Oct. 9-10 from 9AM-5PM each day. It’s a great place to purchase the ultimate Halloween jack-o-lantern and you can leave your find in "Pumpkin Daycare" while you enjoy the accompanying festivities. Kids Corral is full of free hands-on activities: arts and crafts, face-painting and an entertainment stage from 10AM. to 3PM. There’s a haunted homestead tour for older kids and adults, and trick-or-treat stations for small fry. The whole family can enjoy an artisan’s market and complimentary amusement rides—new in 2010. Admission for the Pumpkin Festival is $4 for ages 4-12 and $6 for adults. Children in costume (ages 4 to 12) and those under 3 years of age are FREE. Buy a Super Ticket to attend both the festival and the maze at a discounted rate: $14 for adults, seniors and students with ID; $8 for ages 4-12; 3 and under are free. Word to the wise: the ticket lines at Chatfield can be long. Save yourself some grief and buy your tickets in advance at either King Soopers or online at the Botanic Gardens's website.


Rock Creek Farm at 2005 S. 112th Street, Broomfield (303 465 9565) has a great corn maze, with five miles of paths, not to mention 100 acres of pumpkins to pick from. Admission to maze is $8 for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages 6-11 and FREE for under 6. Cash, checks and money orders OK - no credit cards. They also sell lots of goodies, ranging from pumpkin bread to caramel apples to fall decorations. No admission fee just to visit the farm. Hay bale maze for the little ones, who will also love the ponies, donkeys, goats and chickens.

The Crazed Cornfield maze at 104th and Riverdale Road, Thornton, is twenty acres of crazy madness, with a pumpkin patch. It is open from 10AMto 6PM. daily except Mondays, through Halloween. Admission $10 for adults; $8 for kids 12 and under; FREE for kids under 5. On Tuesdays over-55 geezers get in for $8. Mini maze ($4) for the kidlets, plus a pumpkin patch, gourds and other fall decorations such as straw bales, corn stalks, etc.  Pony rides, petting zoo, jumping castle and other attractions run from $1 to $5, so things can add up. Also, best to check the website to see what is available. Last tix sold at 5:15PM. The real fun starts at night, when the family-friendly maze morphs into the Haunted Field of Screams, prices range from $12-$48 and it is best to buy them online. The Field of Screams is a full-blown interactive haunted attraction under the stars. For true spookiness in the maze, you can opt for the Dead Man's Night Maze, one of those trips through the corn that never seem to end soon enough.  Prices vary, see the website. Also check their Twitter site for deals and closure info. 303-913-5947. 


Hills Harvest - No maze, but FREE admission and  hayrides. Nice pumpkin patch. Plenty of fall delights to purchase, both decorative and edible such as roasted chiles, fresh cider, jams, honey, apples, pies etc. Cute animals. Nice people. 3225 E. 124th, Thornton. 303 451 5637