Fall is upon us, and with it the annual visit out to the pumpkin patch at the local farm(s). There are several farms who have fall activities, two of which I’d like to present in more detail:

First off is Ganyard Hill Farm, on the outskirts of Durham, about 30 minutes from downtown Raleigh. (Address: 319 Sherron Rd, Durham, NC 27703). What I like about Ganyard is that it caters well to the wee little ones. It has Haystack Mountain, basically a “jungle gym substitute” complete with giant tunnel, a hay maze (see image below) and a corn crib (see image on the left). Some animals can be fed by the kids, and of course there is a Pick-your-own-Pumpkin field. When we went, the boys (father and son) really enjoyed rolling around in the corn crib, although mom insists that this is how we got our bug bites. A hay ride and a corn maze are also available, but perhaps not a exciting as at other locations.

If you do look for a ginormous-tastic corn maze, head in the opposite direction to Ken’s Korny Corn Maze in Garner. (Take Hwy. 50 South, Ken’s is just before the intersection with Ten-Ten Road.) The maze has 2.5 miles of paths, and you should plan 2-3 hours to enjoy all the attractions. When you enter the corn maze, you are given a flag on a long pole that you’re supposed to wave if you’re hopelessly stuck – it seems that does happen. Besides the maze, there are the usual hay maze, pumpkin patch, etc., all arranged very nicely.

Check websites for hours and special events, as all attractions depend on the harvest season and the weather.

Update for 2013: SparkCon does not appear to have a “KidSpark”, but I believe that the KidZone on Hargett and Fayetteville will have similar items.

Also, see my 2013 SparkCon article for current links, this one is from last year.

SparkCon features again a corner just for the kids, located at Davie and Fayetteville. Build a pinwheel (and keep it). Walk the runway (with a paper hat). But you would miss a lot if you only go to the kids’ section: circusSPARK promises some sparkling performances, and wheelSPARK is all about skateboards, with demos all day Saturday and Sunday. And what child wouldn’t like streetpainting? The good thing about SPARKcon is that most everything is close together; head out to Fayetteville Street and see what you like!

SPARKcon started yesterday and continues through Sunday; check out the schedule on the website or just head out and see what exciting thing you run into.

Photo: groundSPARK, 2008 by twbuckner, used under the CC BY license

“Catch and Release Flyfishing”? No, catch and release firefly hunting. You can do it in your backyard, but you can also make the trip out to Crowder District Park, a short drive down to Ten-Ten-Road south of Raleigh.

You can see fireflies, catch them and learn more about them; the event is for kids of all ages, and costs $5 per family.

Pre-registration is encouraged! Since this is tonight, at least make sure you fill out the necessary form and bring it with you along with a check or exact change. It is unlikely, but there is the risk that you’ll be turned away as well.

The image is firefly 0877 by art farmer, used under the CC BY-SA license

Ok, it is not Oshkosh, and it is not in downtown Raleigh. But if you don’t want to drive 1,000 miles and still see more than the WRAL-TV helicopter, the Winston-Salem Air Show may just be the perfect compromise.

About 2 hours each way, this day trip promises a day of “planes, trucks, and automobiles” (no trains, sorry.) Taking place both Saturday and Sunday, with partially overlapping schedules, a day trip is probably sufficient. Saturday or Sunday, you choose.

Apart from the usual stagger wing antique planes and fighter jet fly-overs, this Air Show also has some surface vehicle like a jet-engine powered school bus, and well, the Turbo Toilet: someone said, “now why don’t I mount a Boeing jet engine on a port-a-potty and fart around the nation’s airshows?” Yeah, why don’t you.

In addition to the static displays, there is also a kids’ zone, live music and much more. The show hours are 10a-5p both Sunday and Saturday.

1932 Waco UEC cabin biplane  by Armchair Aviator, used under the CC BY license