A bumper crop of pumpkins awaits eager pickers on Long Island farms - where hay rides, corn mazes and homemade delicacies add to the allure of the annual family pilgrimage.
If the weather cooperates, traffic gridlock is inevitable on rural roads such as the North Fork's Sound Avenue, lined with prime pumpkin patches. So allow plenty of time and pack enough games to stave off the "are we there yets?" in the backseat.
Chances are there is at least one small patch not far from your home (and many stands selling pre-picked pumpkins). But if you relish the thrill of the hunt, the most options are out east. Always call ahead to confirm, as hours may change in season.
White Post Farms, 250 Old Country Road, Melville, 631-351-9373
Schmitt Farms, 26 Pinelawn Road, Melville, 631-271-3276. Also has corn maze (day or night) and a haunted house.
Rottkamp's Fox Hollow Farm, Sound Avenue, Baiting Hollow, 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., 631-727-1786.
Stakey's Pumpkin Farm, West Lane (between Sound Avenue and Route 25), Aquebogue, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends ; weekdays 12 p.m.- 5 p.m., 631-722-3467. Also has hayride, corn maze and face painting.
Harbes Family Farm Stand, Sound Avenue, Mattituck, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., 631-298-2054.
Wickham's Fruit Stand, Route 25, Cutchogue, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Monday (closed Sunday), 631-734-6441.
Hank's Pumpkin Town, Montauk Highway, Water Mill, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., 631-726-4667.
John Berezny's Farm Stand, Sound Avenue, Riverhead, 631-722-3823
Chick's Farmstand, 6045 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, 631-298-5945
Gramma's Flower Cottage, 2891 Montauk Highway, Brookhaven, 631-730-6264
Krupski's Pumpkin Farms, 38030 Main Rd., Peconic, 631-734-6847
Lewin Farms, Sound Avenue, Wading River, 631-929-4327
The Milk Pail Farm and Orchard, Montauk Highway Between Water Mill & Bridgehampton, 631-537-2565
Woodside Nursery & Garden Center, 134 E. Woodside Ave., N. Patchogue, 631-758-1491.
Local pumpkin stands/special events:
NASSAU:
Pumpkin Patch Festival. Pumpkin picking, storytelling, face painting, entertainment, food, noon-7p.m. Monday-Fridays Oct. 15-31, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3434 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown, 516-731-7387.
Flea Market/Garage Sale/Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, musical and dance entertainment, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays Oct. 13 and 20 and noon-4p.m. Oct. 14 and 21, St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 200 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre, free admission, 516-766-2080.
Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn, baked goods on weekends, proceeds support Sea Cliff Methodist Church, noon-6:30 p.m. Oct. 24-26 and Oct. 28-31, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Oct. 27, Sea Cliff United Methodist Church, Carpenter and Downing avenues, free admission, 516-671-0392.
Pumpkin Patch. Over 1000 pumpkins, vendors, craft tables, fall decorating items, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31, Community United Methodist Church, 100 Park Blvd., Massapequa, free admission, 516-541-7008.
Plant and Pumpkin Sale. Mums, kale, Montauk daises and more, 10.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 12-13, St. James United Methodist Church, St. James Place at Forest Avenue, Lynbrook, free admission, 516-599-5148.
SUFFOLK:
Goofy Gourds and Pumpkins. Children ages 5 and older are asked to bring their imaginations; gourds, pumpkins and decorations provided, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Sunrise Highway, Oakdale, register, $3 adults, $2 per child, $6 parking fee, 631-581-1072.
QUEENS:
Pick A Peck of Pumpkins. Wander through the planting field to find your favorite pumpkins, admission to the patch is free, price of pumpkins is determined by size of pumpkin, open daily through Oct. 28, Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Floral Park. queensfarm.org, 718-347-3276.
