Colorful Colorado Springs in the FALL: Your Guide to Pumpkins, Apples, Aspens and Fall Festivals {2015}

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Your Guide to Pumpkins, Apples, Aspens and Fall Festivals There is nothing quite like Fall in Southern Colorado.  The crisp, cool air…the beautiful colors of the Aspen trees…fabulous weather…so many incredible festivals and pumpkin patches to visit.  Grab a warm apple cider or a yummy pumpkin spice drink, pack your camera and head to the mountains.

If you’re like me and are kicking yourself for missing the incredible annual Balloon Launch this year, here is a guide to help make sure that you don’t miss all the wonderful upcoming events, pumpkin patches, and farms that our area has to offer.  You’ve got no excuses now!  Get out there and enjoy all that fall in Colorado Springs has to offer!!

Events:

Sept 11-13: Briarfest

Open Friday: 5-11 PM, Saturday: 8 AM-11 PM, Sunday: Noon-6.
Located at: St Gabriel the Archangel, 8755 Scarborough Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

At Briarfest you will find: carnival midway, 5K and Kiddie Run, games, food, music, art, wine, and a beer garden. There will be something for everyone!  For tickets and additional information, including a full schedule of events, please see their website.

Sept 12: Patriot’s Festival

Registration for the Walk/Run/Ride opens at 6:30 AM, and the last demonstration is scheduled for 1:45 PM.
Located at Mountain Shadows Park

The Walk, Run and Ride for Heroes kicks off the 5th Annual Chick-fil-A Patriots’ Festival presented by Colorado Technical University. It features a FREE community festival with free Kids Zone, live music, patriotic ceremony and hero demonstrations including Flight for Life Helicopter landing, K-9 Demonstration and lots of police, fire, military vehicles for kids to explore. See their website for a full schedule of events so that you don’t miss out on anything!

Sept 19: What If Festival of Innovation and Imagination

A FREE festival in Downtown Colorado Springs from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Come and check out geeky gadgets, DIY demonstrations, cool experiments, new technologies, hands-on-learning, live performances on four stages, with 100 interactive games and challenges!
Check back to their website for a full map of events and their locations.

Sept 19-early November: Haunted Mines

Thursay, Friday and Saturday evenings, 7-11 PM, from Sept 18th until mid-November.
Located at the Museum of Western Mining and Industry: 225 North Gate Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80921  (719) 488-0880
Ticket prices for 2015 not yet published, check back on their website, or call the number above.

Ride the Descender Hoist, a death-defying descent into the depth of the mines where you will have to crawl for your life to escape out the vent shaft.  Explore your way through the maze of tunnels to find your way out! Not recommended for those under 12 years.

Sept 26: Museum Day Live!

Free admission to participating museums for 2 people.

In the spirit of the Smithsonian Museums, which offer free admission every day, Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket… for free.  Some of the participating museums in our area are: Miramont Castle (Manitou Springs), Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy (Colorado Springs), Museum of Colorado Prisons (Canon City), John Jay Museum Center (Colorado Springs), Edward C Rochette Money Museum (Colorado Springs), and the Western Museum of Mining and Industry (Colorado Springs). For a full list of participating museums, please visit their website.

Oct 3: Rock Ledge Ranch Harvest Festival

October 3rd from 10 AM-3 PM.
Rock Ledge Ranch, across from the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center at 1401 Recreation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 (719) 578-6777

Admission is free to Rock Ledge Ranch for the day where you can enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, old-time music, pick a pumpkin, scramble for candy, and tour the restored 1880s Rock Ledge House and 1907 Estate House

Oct 3-11: Colorado Springs Science Festival

At various locations around the city of Colorado Springs, this nine day science festival is a collaboration of national and local science organizations working together to facilitate and enhance science literacy in our region through informal learning experiences. There are events for kids, events for adults and events for all ages. Some of the planned events are: Colorado Springs Regional Rubik’s Cube Challenge, Cool Science Carnival Day, Geocache for kids, Garden of the Gods Nature Presentations, Recycling Facility Tour, Colorado Springs Utilities Plant Tour, Food Science, Radio Controlled Electric Airplanes, and Mars Yard & Flight Simulator.

For a full calendar of events, their locations, and any possible fees, please check their website.

October 11-12: Reynolds Ranch Harvest Festival and the Museum of Western Mining and Industry

October 11 & 12, 10 AM-3 PM
Located at the Museum of Western Mining and Industry, 225 North Gate Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719) 488-0880
Admission is $5 per person over the age of 4

Admission includes: hayrides, face painting, blacksmith demos, stamp mill demos, apple cider press demos, farmers market, hay bale maze, family photo area, ‘scary’ stories, make a scarecrow, decorate your pumpkin, and a limited number of daylight tours of the haunted Mines (additional $5 recommended donation per family).

Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms Pumpkin Festival

The Pumpkin Festival is the weekend of Oct 9-11, 9 AM-5 PM daily.

Admission: Non-Members: $7 Adult, $6 Seniors/Millitary, $5 Child (3-12), Under 2 are free; Members: Adult $6, Child $4. Entrance to the Corn Maze is an additional $6 per person (adult or child). Pumpkins are an additional cost, the average pumpkin costs $8.

Admission includes: admission to the pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving demonstrations, hay ride, pony rides, barrel train rides, mini maze for under 10, jumping pillow, 5 carnival game tickets, face painting and live music. For an additional fee: the Corn Maze, food, drinks, Bull Rides, and Hamster Ball.

There are many other themed events happening at the Botanic Gardens: Ghosts in the Gardens: a paranormal tour of the gardens which happen to sit on the Mile High City’s first Cemetery; Glow in the Gardens, fun-filled nights with jack-o-lanterns, luminarias, and larger-than-life pumpkin displays and many fall-themed activities; and Zombie Prom on Halloween night!
Please see the Botanic Garden’s website for more information on each of these fun-filled events!

Oct 17: The Waldo Waldo 5K

Saturday, October 17th, the event starts at 7:30 AM, Please check their website for the full schedule.                                                                                                                                               Located at: The Pioneers Museum, 215 S Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Event registration before the day of the event is $35 and comes with a Waldo or Wenda costume kit that includes a shirt, hat and glasses! The price increases to $40 the morning of the event.

The Waldo Waldo 5K is a Colorado Springs family friendly 5K walk & fun run fundraiser. This un-timed 5K is fun and unique event for people of all-abilities including many first time 5k’ers, families, corporate teams, military teams, firefighters, experienced wheelchair users and even community members who were deeply affected by the fires.

Boo At the Zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

October 17, 18, 24, 25, 30 & 31. Hours 4-8:30 PM, the last ticket sold at 7:30 PM
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, located at: 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 633-9925

The zoo will close early for day visits at 3 PM on those dates. The last ticket of the day will be sold at 2 PM on those days, guests must exit and then the Zoo will open for Boo at the Zoo at 4 PM.

Tickets: $17.25 (ages 3-65), $12.25 for Zoo Members, $15.25 for military and over 65, free for ages 2 and under. Tickets are sold each night of the event at the Zoo only. No passes or other coupons are accepted, advance tickets are not available.
Sky Ride Combo Pricing: $20.25 (ages 3-65), $15.25 for zoo members, $18.25 Military and over 65, free for ages 2 and under

Don your costume, bring your trick-or-treat bag and flashlight for a frightfully good time! Activities include: haunted fun house, ghoulish graveyard, lighted pumpkin patch, trick-or-treat stations, boo carousel, pirates cove, select animal exhibits are open: giraffes, Monkey Pavilion, Aquatics, The Loft and Encounter Africa, and select encounters with chows each evening by education interpreters.

October 24th: Emma Crawford Coffin Races

Oct 24th, 12-4 PM, in Downtown Manitou Springs

Teams of five, one Emma and four runners, push their coffins 195 feet to the finish line. The fastest times earn trophies as well as a chance to win Best Emma, Best Entourage, and Best Coffin. There is even a separate fire department division that competes for their own traveling trophy. The Races start off with a parade of all the coffins and teams as well as authentic hearses at 12:00pm. The races begin with two teams per heat racing for their own time. Awards are announced and handed out after the races at 2:00pm.


Farms and Pumpkin Patches:
Scarecrow Fun at Happy Apple Farm

Diana’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

Open weekends from Sept 19th to Oct 31st.
Friday & Saturday 10 AM – 9 PM, Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM
Open later on weekends and during the week by appointment for groups of 15 or more.
1649 Poplar Ave., Canon City, CO 81212   (719) 821-9133

Admission is $9 per person and includes a pumpkin while they last; Kids under 5 are free, but does NOT include a pumpkin

They have a pumpkin patch, corn bin, hay slide and duck races. Each year they create a new pattern to their corn maze. This year’s design should take a good 45 minutes to complete the maze!  They are a working farm and ask that you please follow the parking signs and be respectful of their neighbors when parking and using the farm.

Picking RaspberriesHappy Apple Farm

Open Wednesday-Sunday 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Located at: 1190 1st Street, Penrose, CO 81240

A u-pick farm, they charge no admission, offer free hayrides and charge by the pound ($0.55 per pound for pumpkins). Sept 12th they will open the pumpkin patch up with their Fall Festival.

 

Colorado Pumpkin Patch

They are open 7 days a week starting Sept 19th through Saturday October 31st. Monday & Tuesday 9 AM – 1 PM; Wednesday – Friday 9 AM – 5 PM, Saturday, Sunday and Columbus Day they are open 9 AM – 5 PM.

The Colorado Pumpkin Patch is located within the Jellystone Park in Larkspur.  The address for Jellystone Park, Larkspur is 650 Sky View Lane, Larkspur, CO 80118, however old GPS’ have an incorrect route to this address. From Denver and Colorado Springs take exit 174 off I-25 and drive into Jellystone Park Larkspur.

Admission: Weekdays: Adults and Children $8; Weekends and Columbus Day: Adults $8 / Kids $11; Kids 2 and under are free. Active Military and Seniors are $7.50. Group of 15 or more with a group reservation are $7.50 with a small pumpkin.

Additional Fees for: Concessions, Face Painting*, Pony Rides*, and pumpkins. Pumpkins are sold in size categories, ranging from $2-$9. *Activities available on select days only

Included with the price of admission: Straw slides for children big and small, Large Straw Bale Pyramid and a Straw Maze for kids, Steer Head Roping, Duck Races, Gourd launching with more targets, Kids’ Corn Box, Wagon (tractor “hay”) rides for all, Sit on a restored 1957 International Tractors, Pedal Cars, Farm Animals petting area – pony, alpaca, goat, sheep, chickens, duck, geese, and turkey, Live Bluegrass weekend!

Picking applesWishing Star Farm

Thursday-Sunday 8 AM – 5 PM
Located at: 24024 State Highway 94, Calhan, Colorado 80808 (719) 244-7252

They celebrate fall with their Fall Festival, where you can pick pumpkins out of the field, or take part in pony rides, train rides, duck races, hay wagon rides, pumpkin painting or play horse shoes, or in the corn bins.

Anderson Farms

Open Sept 23- Nov 1, Mostly as follows (check their website): Mon – Thurs: 1-6; Fri 10 AM – 11 PM; Sat 9 AM – 11 PM; Sun 9 AM – 10 PM. Sme Thursdays in October it’s open until 10 PM, and on Sunday Nov 1st it closes at 6 PM instead of 10 PM.
Located at: 6728 County Road 3 ¼, Erie, Co 80516 (303) 828-5210

Pricing: Under 3 free, Mon-Thurs $10, Fri-Sun $13, Groups of 20 or more would qualify for their group rate. Call for more info on their group rate.

Admission includes: Corn maze (30 acres, open day and night, not haunted, smaller maze for ages 2-8), Hayrides, Pumpkin Launches (11-6, hourly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays), Pedal karts, Mine Cars, Barrel Train, farm animals, Krazy Rainbow Maze, Tire Mountain, Fort-A-Lot-A-Fun, and more!

Additional Tickets: Terror in the Corn $20 (Quick Pass $30) Zombie Paintball $20 (Quick Pass $30), Terror/Zombie Combo $35 (Combo Quick Pass $55). The Quick Pass will shorten you wait time by placing you in the VIP line. The Terror and Zombie tickets includes entrance to all Fall Festival Activities.

They also have a wide variety of additional activities for an additional fee. Call or check out their website for more info!

The pumpkin patch closes at dusk, with the lat wagon ride out being at either 5:30 or 6, depending on the day of the week. The pumpkins are not included in the price of admission and vary in price depending on size from $2 to $12.

Green Thumpkin Pumpkin Patch

Open weekends in October. Friday & Saturday 10-5, Sundays 12-5.
Located at: 7209 California Drive, Colorado Springs, Co 80923 (719) 591-2943
Near Woodmen and Black Forest roads.

Admission is $10 per person (under 2 are free), and includes all activities and one pumpkin per person. Discounts available for groups of 20 or more.

Activities available: hay rides, hay pyramid with slide, balloon launchers, corn box, pipe swing, story hour, sack races, corn hole games, crafts, scavenger hunt, and pick your own pumpkin.

Miller Farms

Open from Labor day through mid-November, 9 AM-6 PM daily
Located at: 13912 CR 19, Platteville, CO 80651 (970) 785-6133

Admission: adults age 13 & up: $20 per person or a family of 4 is $65, each additional person over the first 4 is $15 per person; Children ages 4-12: $15 per person, 3 and under are free; Groups of 10 or more are $15 per person. Wagon sale: load a wagon full of pumpkins, gourds and winter squash plus whatever goodies are available that day for $30.

Admission includes all activities and for each person to pick up to 5 bags of produce each. Over the 5 bag limit and it’s $10 per each additional bag.
Activities: hay ride through 180 acres to pick your own produce, petting zoo, corn maze, tour of ‘Antique Alley’, jumping pillow, peddle tractors, hay pyramid, and lots of other cool activities.

Third Street Apples

Pick Your own apples and pumpkins
Open August 22- October 31
Thursday-Monday: 9:30 AM-5 PM, Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Located at: 935 3rd Street, Penrose, CO 81240 (719) 372-6283

Admission is free, you pay for what you pick. Apples are $1.39 per pound, there are frequently some already picked and available in the store for the same price. Pumpkins will be available starting September 12th and cost $0.55 per pound.

Panateleo Farms

Open weekends in October, Fridays 4-11 PM, Saturdays 9 AM- 11 PM, Sundays 9 AM-10 PM
Located at: 39651 S Rd, Pueblo, CO 81006  (719) 948-4556
Free admission on to the farm.

Activities*: Free hayrides, Free Spookley the Square Pumpkin Theatre, Giant Corn Maze, Pumpkin Picking, Pony Rides, Inflatables, Face Painting, Crafts, Costume Contest, and Concessions available. *Call for more detailed pricing information.

Venetucci Farm

Located at: 5210 US-85, Colorado Springs, Co 80911  (719) 391-8102
October 7,8,9

Teachers or schools that have students in Pre-K through 1st grade can register to take their class there, in addition to a farm tour, student will receive a free pumpkin. For more information, please visit their website.
Volunteers are also needed, so if that sounds like fun to you, please visit their website for volunteer registration information.

On October 3rd Venetucci Farm will host the Great Pumpkin Run, with categories: 10K, 5K, or kids fun run. For more information on categories, prizes, times and registration information please visit their website.

Denver Botanic Gardens, Chatfield Farms Corn Maze

Open Weekends Sept 18 through November 1st.
Hours are: Fridays: 4-9 PM, Saturdays 10 AM-9 PM, Sundays 10 AM-5 PM
Except! October 16-18, hours are Friday 4-9 PM, Saturday 10 AM-9 PM, Sunday Noon-6 PM
Located at: 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128

Admission: Non-Member Pricing: adult $13, Senior/Student/Military $12, Child (3-12) $10, 2 & Under: free ; Member Pricing: Adults $11, Child $8. Groups of 15 or more qualify for Member pricing

Corn Maze admission includes: entrance to the 8 Acre Maze, mini maze (for 10 & under), unlimited jumping pillow, one hay ride and barrel train ride (12 & Under). Pony Rides and Hamster ball available for an additional fee.
Select nights, they have a Blackout Maze, after 7 the lights are out in the maze and brave visitors can fin their way through the (not haunted) maze by the light of a glow stick. Select Evenings after 7 PM. Please see website for additional details.

October 9-11, visitors will be required to purchase a ticket to the Pumpkin Festival to visit the Corn Maze between 9 AM and 5 PM.

Happy Apple Farm Pumpkin Patch

From all of us at Colorado Springs Moms Blog…Wishing you the most Colorful Colorado Fall!

**Please note the information included in this post was the most accurate at the time of the original posting. It is best to check the individual websites for the latest and most up-to-date information prior to making plans in case of any last minute changes.**

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Kristin, Senior Writer
Once Upon A Time, in another life, Kristin graduated from the University of Michigan with a plan to teach high school math. But then, life happened when she wasn’t looking…. She married an Army guy and 23 years, 3 kids, a few dogs, 7 homes, and 2 continents later she’s now a single mom living here in Colorado Springs. Along the way she volunteered for the Army, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and several schools; managed volunteer organizations, coached judo, trained to be a whitewater rafting guide, biked down Pike’s Peak and even managed to teach some high schoolers a little math before forging new trails writing, teaching and financial planning. She never knows what’s coming around the bend, but she’s learned to handle whatever life (and the Army!), throws at her with a smile and a laugh. She’s pretty sure you can get through anything with those, even if you have to fake it occasionally!!

1 COMMENT

  1. There are a couple of events missing. Giant Pumpkin Festival in Old Colorado City on Saturday, October 17th, 10am to 3pm
    The Historical Society’s Haunted Histories of Old Colorado City in Fairview Cemetery on Saturday, September 26th starting at 6pm

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