Pumpkin Patches and Fall Farm Events
Photo by Adam Blauert
You can always find pumpkins at every grocery store this time of year, but it’s a lot more fun to go and pick one out at a pumpkin patch. There are a lot of great local farms offering a wide range of pumpkins, squash, gourds, and exciting harvest-themed activities.
In the Merced-Planada-Plainsburg-Le Grand area, the Bear Creek Pumpkin Patch has teamed up with the Vista Ranch and Cellars this year. They’ve set up a beautiful and extensive selection of pumpkins near the main parking lot at the Vista. Varieties include carving pumpkins of all sizes, heirloom pumpkins, mini pumpkins, and colorful squash and gourds. You can also buy local produce and taste local wine during your visit. Picnic tables are available and wood oven pizzas are served from 11 AM to 4 PM on weekends. Educational field trips and private parties can be scheduled in advance.
Location: 7326 East Highway 140, Merced
Hours open: Daily 9 AM – 6 PM
More information: (209) 722-8200 / http://vistacellars.com/pumpkin-patch/
Photo by Adam Blauert
Located right inside Merced, the Merced College U-Pick Pumpkin Patch sells pumpkins raised on the Merced College Farm, with sale proceeds benefitting the farm program.
Location: Community College Drive on the Merced College Campus
For more information, contact Steve Bell (209) 384-6251
Proceeds benefit the Merced College Farm
Photo by Adam Blauert
Located between Merced and Atwater, Hunter Farms is again offering an exciting range of pumpkins and fun activities.
Centered around a historic barn, Hunter Farms has a lot of great backdrops for family photos, plus hay rides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, a trike track, a hay pyramid to climb, a time-travel tractor train ride, and panning for gemstones. There’s also room to eat a picnic lunch during your visit. School field trips, birthday parties, and other group events can be scheduled in advance.
Location: 2985 SP Avenue, Atwater
Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM weekdays, 10 AM – dusk
More information: (209) 394-4444http://www.hunterfamilyfarms.com/pumpkinpatch.html
Photo by Adam Blauert
The Los Banos Pumpkin Patch is the place to find great pumpkins on the Westside. In addition to a big selection of pumpkins, there are backdrops for family photos and a unique “barrel train” that runs on weekends. Proceeds from the sales help kids attend camp. School field trips can be scheduled by calling in advance.
Location: Paradiso Motors Parking Lot on Pacheco Blvd(Highway 152) at the I Street intersection
Hours: Monday-Friday noon – 9 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 9 PM, Sunday 11:30 ish (after church) – 9 PM
More information: (209) 826-7575
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Banos-Pumpkin-Patch/246000048786070?v=info
Photo by adam blauert
Turlock’s R.A.M. Farms is the perfect destination if you live in the north part of our county. They offer more than 60 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, plus a gigantic 15 acre corn maze! Open every day during daylight hours, you can also choose to explore it in the dark on a special “Freaky Flashlight Night” – offered Friday and Saturday nights. Halloween-themed “Movies Under the Stars” are also offered on Friday and Saturday evenings starting at dusk. Other attractions include a “scary shed” and pumpkin bowling. Birthday parties and educational trips can be scheduled in advance.
Location: 716 N. Daubenberger Road, Turlock
Hours: Monday - Thursday 10 AM – dusk, Friday – Saturday 10 AM – 10 PM, Sunday 10 AM – 8 PM
Contact information / more information: (209) 668-2425 / http://www.ramfarms.com/pumpkin-patch/
Castle Air Museum-Atwater
PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Castle Air Museum
Drawing visitors from across the country, Castle Air Museum is one of Merced County’s treasures. Located on the site of the former Castle Air Force Base (known as Merced Army Air Field during WWII), the museum a collection of 53 World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam Era aircraft including:
Boeing B-17G Flyingfortress
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Boeing B-47E Stratojet
Boeing B-52D Stratofortress
Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter
Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker
Convair RB-36H Peacemaker
Curtiss C-46D Commando
Douglas A-26B Invader
Douglas C-47A Skytrain
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
For a full list of planes on display, visit the museum’s website: http://www.castleairmuseum.org/
b52 - PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
History come alive
This is a place where history truly comes alive. Visitors have close-up views of the planes from paved, handicapped-accessible walkways.
An indoor museum contains many additional Air Force and Army Air Corps artifacts and a B-52 simulator.
The museum holds annual “open cockpit” days when visitors can view the insides of many of the aircraft. Group tours can be arranged. The museum has a gift shop, café, and RV park with full hookups.
PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Facilities
Outdoor aircraft display, indoor museum, café, gift shop, and RV park with full hookups.
Special Events
“Open cockpit” days, veterans’ events, Halloween Fright Night, Christmas Plane Lane-see website for details and times. http://www.castleairmuseum.org/
Tours
Group tours can be arranged and school groups are welcome. The museum has produced a teachers’ guide to the museum with classroom activities.
PHOTO BY ADAM BLAUERT
Hours and Entrance Fees
The museum is open every day of the year except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Summer Hours (May – October) are 9-5 and Winter Hours (November-April) are 10-4.
Adults: $10.00 / $12.00 (Open Cockpit Day)
Seniors (60 & up): $8.00
Youths 6 - 17: $8.00
Children 5 & under (with paid adult): Free
Active Duty Military Personnel (with I.D.): Free
Family Pass: $30.00
Location
5050 Santa Fe Drive, Atwater, California 95301
Website
http://www.castleairmuseum.org
For more information: (209) 723-2178
The Atwater Historical Society was formed in 1972 in response to the challenge of keeping the Bloss Home for the community.
Bloss Home
The Atwater Historical Society was formed in 1972 in response to the challenge of keeping the Bloss Home for the community.
The house was willed to the City of Atwater by George Bloss, Jr. with the provision that his wife Christine reside in the home until her death. When this occured in December of 1971 the city was at a loss as to what to do with this property.
Several older citizens of Atwater banned together to form the society and go to bat (so to speak) with the city to make sure the house was not sold or razed.
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The society incorporated in December of 1972 and the specific purposes of the corporation are to collect, maintain, protect, preserve, and research items of historical significance to the City of Atwater and the surrounding area.
The main Purpose
The main focus for many years by the membership has been to restore the house and keep the historical records maintained. The restoration should be complete in another two to three years.
The society also hopes to be able to landmark other historic buildings and homes in Atwater. We have an active and lively membership who help with docent tours of the museum on the first and third Sunday of each month as well as being involved with the community.
We welcome all who wish to join us in these efforts as new perspectives and fresh ideas are always important.
Information on becoming a member is available by either calling the museum at:
357-6309 (please leave a message) or e-mailing us at blosshome@gmail.com.
Adam Blauert, a high school teacher and avid outdoors enthusiast, has dedicated the majority of his life to Merced County. His passions include fishing, backpacking, delving into local history, and exploring the wonders of the western states.