- If you’re looking for the 2015 version of this post, head to our post entitled South Sound Harvest Festivals at the Farm 2015!
- Get your fresh on at South Sound area harvest festivals and celebrations. I know this picture is Crazy, but I promise he had the teeth for it. I don’t like to brag, but my kid was very advanced in teeth!
There is again no Harvest Fest Farm Tour in Pierce County or King County for 2014-at least there isn’t the one that used to be organized in conjunction with the WSU extensions.
There are still many harvest celebrations and farm tours all around the South Sound. These are great opportunities to introduce the kids to animals, check out real working farms, or just enjoy some fall fun as a family.
Read on for the full list. You’ll note that a few of these are out of my usual, “Territory,” but I did try to stick to the South Sound as much as possible. Also note that I tried to keep the list to harvest events-more Halloween/pumpkin oriented events will be in a different list.
Saturdays and Sundays-September 27th-October 26th Remlinger Farms Harvest Pumpkin Fall Festival kiddie rides, u-pick pumpkins, market with items for sale This one is a day trip/almost road trip, and it’s not a bargain, but it’s a super fun day with younger children.
September 27th, Duvall Heritage Festival cider making, Pioneer era job/craft demonstrations
September 28th Pumpkin Festival at Oxbow Farm in Carnation 12-4 5.00 in advance/7.00 at the gate hay rides, farm games, crafts, produce for sale. Working, organic farm-dress for mud
October 4th-Fife Harvest Festival We’ve been to this with the boys several times. Carnival games, kids’ entertainment-all kinds of fun. In the past, I didn’t think it had much of a, “Harvest,” flavor, but the organizers told me they were adding more of those elements. We didn’t make it last year, so if you did, leave a review! There will be vendors on hand, but admission is FREE.
October 4th Tahoma Farms in Orting 20.00 per carload includes one u-pick carving pumpkin and all activities-corn maze, hay rides, entertainment, kids’ scavenger hunt, and more. Buy ticket online (just one for your carload, remember) or at the event.
October 4th Key Peninsula Farm Tour self guided tour of various farms -petting zoos, hay rides, and more We’ve done other area farm tours and always had a great time. Just be prepared for mud and mess (Henry found the stinkiest puddle ever at an alpaca farm one year. I can still smell it just thinking about it)!
?? Still working on getting info. for 2014 for this one. October 12th Fall Farm Tour in the Puyallup Valley tour of several area farms; kid friendly activities, products for sale more details tba
October 11th Harvest Festival at Nature Nurture Farm in Olympia 10-3 Details still tba
October 18th Open House at Mountain Lodge Farm in Eatonville Not really a festival, but you can meet the animals and sample cheese.
For options further afield (Get it??) check this list from Cascade Harvest. Note that this list hasn’t been updated in AGES, but it might give you some ideas.
You might also want to check yesterday’s list of South Sound apple picking spots and cider making events.
and coming soon I’ll again have the only pumpkin patch list in the South Sound organized by, “Pumpkin personality,”-plus corn mazes and other fall fun. This is my older son’s favorite time of year. He actually says stuff like, “Oh, I’m so glad it’s raining again.” Washington kids-what can I say?!
Do note that farms vary from true mom and pop spots to full scale, commercial operations. I’d urge you to double check with any spot before you head out, so you don’t arrive and find that plans have changed. I also recommend wearing clothes that can get muddy, and bringing along some spending money. Farming is a tough business, and it’s nice to support the folks working hard to bring you tasty things!