It’s almost fall on Delmarva! The hot and steamy days of summer are drawing to a close. Kids are back in school and the weather is starting to cool off. If you are looking for some fun activities for fall, you’ve come to the right place! From fall flowers to haunted houses, Clients First Realty Group has put together a list of creative, fun, and exciting things to do this fall. Browse homes for sale in Delaware One of the staples of any fall celebration or decoration is the pumpkin. We love to carve them up for Halloween fun. They make a colorful addition to table spreads, and they add a bit of festive flair to our porches. Of course, we can’t forget about the addition to our favorite pumpkin recipes. Knowing how to choose the right pumpkin from a local pumpkin patch is just as important as knowing where to find a pumpkin patch in Delaware. The kind of pumpkin you’ll need depends greatly upon the purpose of the pumpkin. Choosing a carving pumpkin as one meant to add a delicious flavor to your mom’s classic pie may prove to be a disappointment. Choosing a baking pumpkin for a fun night of carving may turn out to be just as bad of an experience. Knowing which pumpkin to choose will help you make an informed decision. Decorating with pumpkins for the fall season is popular. Pumpkins are the perfect decorative accent because they come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. Whether you choose to use them at home or in a business display, you can’t go wrong with adding a few pumpkins. If you’re looking for a pumpkin with a bright orange color, you can choose a Cinderella, Sunshine, or Turban pumpkin. If you’re looking for a more traditional orange color for your pumpkin, you can choose an Orange Magic or Jack-O-Lantern pumpkin. Looking to add something a bit different? Choose a white pumpkin such as Cotton Candy, Full Moon, or Baby Boo. This is the season for pumpkin pies, pumpkin breads, spiced muffins, pumpkin soups, and pumpkin cookies. For your favorite recipes, you can choose a Cinderella or Sugar Pie pumpkin. The flesh is sweeter and finer than a carving pumpkin, and the skin is not as thick. The flesh of these pumpkins is dryer than other choices, which makes for better uses in autumn recipes. One of the most beloved traditions of autumn or Halloween is the carving of the pumpkin. This is a wonderful tradition to do each year with your family or friends. Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins and best for carving because of their thicker skin. They hold up well during the carving process. Hollowing out the insides creates a perfect place for a candle. This type of pumpkin was created for carving. You’ll want to make sure you choose the right Jack-O-Lantern for your carving. Here are some helpful tips to get you started. Make sure that the pumpkin sits well on a flat service. The last thing you want is for your freshly carved pumpkin to roll over once you place it down for decoration. Choose a pumpkin that is firm and has some weight. Do a thorough check for bad spots, mold, open spaces, and other imperfections that could indicate damage and make for a bad carving surface. Check the stem to make sure it’s attached and sturdy. Check to make sure the color of the pumpkin is consistent. Make sure the pumpkin you choose is the right size for the person who will be doing the carving. A small child is not going to do well with a huge pumpkin. Choose one that is easily managed and makes sense for the person. It’s a good idea to choose a back-up pumpkin or two, just in case you make a mistake or something goes wrong with your first pumpkin. You have some basic knowledge about pumpkin uses and types, and you have some helpful tips to get you started on choosing one that is perfect for your needs. Now, it’s time to find a place to purchase your pumpkins! How much your home is worth? Find out in 15 seconds. Finding a Pumpkin Patch… Fifer Orchards- Pick-your-own apples, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized hay bale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, wagon rides, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), pre-picked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, birthday parties, school tours 1919 Allabands Mill Road, Wyoming, DE 19934. Phone: 302-697-2141. Email:michael@fiferorchards.com. And for a map to our farm,click here. Crops are usually available in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Open: 8-6 Monday through Saturday Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard. Loblolly Acres- Pumpkins for sale in the shop or farmstand, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, Fall festival, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, haunted trail, gift shop, porta-potties, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours 3893 Turkey Point Road, Woodside, DE 19980. Phone: (302) 284-9255. Open: September through October, Monday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Directions: From Route 13, go west on Walnut Shade Road to railroad tracks in town of Woodside. Before tracks, turn left going south along tracks on Turkey Point Road , go 1 miles to first farm on right.Click here for a map and directions. First weekend in December is the Christmas Extravaganza and Annual Open house. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. Wicked R Western Productions, Inc.- hayrides, pumpkin, straw, petting zoo, corn maze, burlap maze,Haunted woods 2621 Sandy Bend Road, Wyoming, DE 19934. Phone: 302-492-3327. Email:rodeosrus@aol.com. Directions: Follow Rt. 8 west past Pearson's Corner, turn left on Sandy Bend Rd. Go through one stop sign, look for signs (4th place on right). Open: October: 10-2 every Saturday and Sunday; June - August, Wed 10 am-2 pm. All other events, call for appointments. Farm tours for public and schools, cowboy birthday parties, Halloween attractions, horseback riding, rodeo field trip shows, playground, Girl Scout badges, overnight cowboy bunkhouse (sleeps 15), Fall school field trips, Western weddings. Old or young alike will enjoy the down-home fun of fall on the farm. Come enjoy wagon rides through the scenic fall foliage of Wicked R Ranch to our old western town. Pony rides on our loveable ponies, a tour of our extensive petting zoo, play in our straw playground, pumpkin bounce, corn play bin - conquer the corn maze AND the burlap maze! New Castle County Filasky's Produce- Harvested Pumpkins, Christmas items, Christmas trees, Cider, Indian corn, Hay rides (day/evening) Birthday Parties; School Tours 1343 Bunker Hill Rd. Middletown, DE 19709. Phone: 302-378-2754. Email:pumpkinlady46@yahoo.com. Directions: Off Rt. 301 south, west of Middletown. 2 Miles down Bunker Hill Road. Open: May thru December. Crop availability: U-pick strawberries in May; U-pick pumpkins end of September thru October. School Tours featuring Mrs. Seed (spring) and Peter Pumpkin (fall). U-pick pumpkins in October; Pumpkin cooking classes the 1st Sunday after Halloween; and Cindi’s Sale - Super Bowl weekend. Ramsey's Farm- pumpkin patch-pick in the field, corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized hay bale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides. 500 Ramsey Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. Phone: 302-477-1499. Email:farmerstewart@ramseysfarm.com. Open: 10 am to 5 Saturday and Sunday from the last Saturday in September through Halloween - open Fridays in October 12 to 5 pm to Evening events Sat/Sun in October 5 to 9 pm Visit website or call 302 477 1499 for most current information.Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: about 1 mile from Concord Mall.Click here for a map and directions.Payment: Cash, Check. Click here for our Facebook page. Small farm setting - family friendly activities Sussex County Don's Tree Farm- pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, corn maze, wagon rides, porta-potties, school tours, group reservations 6396 Hickman Road, Greenwood, DE 19950. Phone: 302-349-0555. Email:Donstreefarm@yahoo.com. Open: Weekends in October; Saturday 10 am to 5 and Sunday 12 pm to 5. Directions: Route 16 west.Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.Click here for our Facebook page. Open for Christmas Trees weekends starting the day after Thanksgiving. Mums, gourds and fall decorations available. Johnsons Country Market- pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, Fall festival, corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), farm market, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, school tours 36258 Zion Church Road DE 20 West of DE 54 and DE 20, Selbyville, DE 19975. Phone: 302-436-FARM. Alternate Phone: 302-436-3276. Email:TheJohnsons@JohnsonsCountryMarket.com. Open: April to October 31 Open Daily 9 am to 6 pm; [we May extend a couple days into beginning of November for groups - Please call first]. Directions:Click here for a map and directions. Pallet and Corn Maze and Themed Hayride from September to October 31 [call for any additional dates after that] On Special Sale Now: *Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway and *ERTL Toy Tractors [call for after hours availability]. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover.Click here for our Facebook page. Mr. Pepper's Pumpkin Patch- pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, pre-picked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours 13500 Laurel Road, Laurel, DE 19956. Phone: 302-245-8616. Email:pppr464@cs.com. Directions: Three miles east of Laurel, DE on Route 24. And for a map to our farm,click here. Crops are usually available in September, October. Open: Monday to Saturday 10am to Dark; Sunday 12 Noon to Dark; Mid-September to October 31. Payment: Cash, Check. Winter Squash, Gourds, Corn Shocks, and Straw, and when available Mums, Sweet Potatoes, and Local Honey. TS Smith&Sons- pumpkins, Pick-your-own apples, pumpkins for sale in the shop or farmstand, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, Fall festival, Turkeys (organic, not-hormone-fed), Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, gift shop, concessions / refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, Inflatables/bounce house, pony rides, petting zoo 8887 Redden Rd, Bridgeville, DE 19933. Phone: (302)337-8271. Alternate Phone: (302)236-3675. Email:tssmithandsons@gmail.com. Open: Saturdays and Sundays.Click here for current open hours, days and dates.Directions: We are conveniently located on US 13 and DE 40 (the Redden Road) in Bridgeville, Delaware. For those coming from the east or west, use DE 404/18 or DE 16 to reach us on US 13. Our farm market is on the southbound side. Look for the red roof on our historic market; it is an old apple packing house! Our seasonal market and you pick stand is on the northbound side of US 13 and DE 40. Call us for directions!.Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.Click here for our Facebook page. Fun things to do in Delaware for Halloween With fall just around the corner, thoughts of haunted houses and other fun things to do in Delaware for Halloween are beginning to form. This is the season for spooky thrills and scary adventures. Halloween is not just a one day event anymore, it’s a seasonal experience. Here are some of the incredible adventures that await you this year…. if you dare. Haunted Houses: Frightland-309 Port Penn Road, Middletown, Delaware 19709. Between Wilmington and Dover, in Middletown, DE, you’ll find a fantastic set of 8 haunted attractions called Frightland. When you tire of the haunted house, enjoy the barn, hayride, woods and carnival. Plus, parking fees and a portion of ticket proceeds are donated to the Leukemia Research Foundation of Delaware. Frightland is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights starting September 26th. Besides haunts Frightland has an amusement midway with games, rides, and concessions. Doors open at 6 pm. This is described as one of America’s scariest Halloween attractions. Tickets are $25 for the four haunt attractions Horror Hayride, Revenwood Cemetery, Fear, and Zombie Town. Tickets are $20 for the four combo to Zombie Prison, Haunted Barn, Idalia Manor, and The Attic. There is a combo ticket for all eight haunt attractions for $30 the first two weekends. A separate unlimited Amusement Ride ticket is $20. Note that parking is $5 all of which is donated to charity. Dates Open in 2014: September 26, 27; October 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, 31; November 1. Nightmare’s Haunted House - 38361 Sussex Hwy., Delmar, DE 19940. On the southern edge of Delaware in Delmar, just north of Salisbury, MD, lies Nightmare Productions. They ask that visitors make a donation of $13 to support their charities. The attraction is open every Friday and Saturday night in October. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Screams at the Beach - 22518 Lewesl-Georgetown Hwy., Georgetown, DE 19947. Featuring two indoor haunted attractions, a haunted woods and a scary town, Screams at the Beach has 5 attractions named Haunted Hayride, Cornfield Maze, Cemetery, House of Hallows, and Asylum. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Screams at the Beach is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Have fun and try not to be terrified or tortured. Open every Friday and Saturday night in October from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. Wicked Woods- 2621 Sandy Bend Road, Camden-Wyoming, DE. A fun family farm with daytime activities on Saturday and Sunday plus a fantastic Vortex tunnel and scary haunted attraction on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets are $16 at night. Doors are open evenings from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Runs every Friday and Saturday in October&November 1st. The terror begins at 7 p.m. and runs till 11 p.m. with an admission of only $15.00 a victim. The Haunted Forest at Roxana Volunteer Fire Company- 35943 Zion Church Rd., Roxana, Delaware 19945. The fire company does a number of community fundraisers. Tickets are $10. It is open from dusk until 10 pm. Visit Friday and Saturday nights. Hayrides In addition to private hayrides, the Delaware State Parks also have hayrides for your enjoyment. Many of the pumpkin farms also offer hayrides. See above. Bellevue State Park Brandywine Creek State Park Killens Pond State Park Lums Pond State Park Trap Pond State Park White Clay Creek State Park Carousel Park Equestrian Park- tractor-pulled hay rides, (no pumpkins)3700 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. Phone: (302) 995-7670. Email:carouselpark@nccde.org. Open: See our website for current hours and times we are open. Directions:Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. Festivals Arden Fair– Arden, DE September 5, 2015. Food, beer&wine, live music, craft vendors, art exhibit, antiques market, folk dancing demo, plant sale and more. Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival– Rehoboth Beach, DE – October 15-18, 2015. Live jazz music at 5 locations in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Lewes. Apple Scrapple Festival– Bridgeville, Delaware – October 9-10, 2015. Food court with apple dumplings, scrapple sandwiches and more. Carnival rides, car show, 5K, craft show, home decorating contest, entertainment stage, children’s area and more. Delaware Wine&Beer Festival– Dover, Delaware – October 17, 20156th annual event held at the Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village. Admission includes unlimited samples and a commemorative sampling glass. Sea Witch Festival– October 23-25, 201526th annual event. Includes costume parade, bike race, train rides, fiddlers’ festival and kids trick or treat trail. Delaware Antiques Show– November 6-8, 201552nd annual event. One of the nation’s most acclaimed antiques shows. Held at the Chase Center at the Riverfront, it supports educational programming at Winterthur Museum. Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival– Rehoboth, DE – November 7-15, 2015. Punkin Chunkin Punkin Chunkin 2015–The Grove at Dover Downs. November 7 & 8, 2015. We hope we’ve helped fill your calendar with plenty of things to do in Delaware this fall and Halloween.Clients First Realty Groupwishes you a safe and happy season with your family and friends. When you’re ready to buy a home or sell a home in Delaware, give us a call at 302-677-1301
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