Support your local pumpkin patch!

Peter Budoff, For the Ledger

Farmers are gearing up for their busiest stretch of the year as families come out to pick pumpkins and enjoy some seasonal “agritainment.”

“This weekend and next are the biggest of the year,” Bob Condon said Friday. Condon is operator of Cottonwood Farm in Boulder, which has wagon rides and farm animals in addition to a pumpkin patch.

Crowds should be even bigger than usual given the poor weather last weekend, Condon said.

“There’s a little pent-up demand,” he said. “We’ve been getting everything picked and ready and getting all of our staff trained and ready to deal with more people.”

Jim Anderson, owner of Anderson Farms, said he’s prepared for what he called the “peak of the season,” anticipating crowds in the thousands.

“We’ve got plenty of staff; our pumpkin patch is the best yet,” he said. “We’ve got pumpkins in all different colors.”

Jim Miller, owner of Miller Farms, said this growing season started out particularly rough, but the farm has ended up with the most pumpkins it’s ever had.

“We’re ready for the weekend,” Miller said.

Area farms have already been busy, particularly with schoolchildren on field trips.

Cottonwood Farm was bustling Friday afternoon. Andrea Sunset Weslar, of Arvada, said she has come to the pumpkin patch with her kids for several years.

“We love it,” she said. “There’s lots of different things to do. The kids always have a good time.”

Farm owners said people planning to show up the next two weekends should dress warmly and prepare to deal with some crowds.

“It’s a crowd, but it’s usually a happy crowd,” Condon said. “There should be something for everyone.”

Plenty of patches to choose from

Anderson Farms, 6728 WCR 31/4, Erie. Features farm tours and handicapped-accessible pumpkin fields and wagon rides, corn maze, farm animals. Pumpkins range in price from $2 to $12. Pumpkin patch closes at dark; $10 for adults and $8 for kids and seniors; open at 10 a.m. daily through Nov. 1, closes 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. Sunday; 303-828-5210,andersonfarms.com. Please note: Terror in the Corn will be closed for the 2009 season.

Cottonwood Farm, 75th Street and Arapahoe Ave. Offers a pumpkin patch, hay maze, animals and antique farm equipment. Free admission, (wagon ride costs extra). Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Oct. 31. 720-890-4766,cottonwoodfarms.com.

Munson Farm, Valmont Road and 75th Street, Boulder County. Pumpkins and fall fruits and vegetables, as well as hay rides, a corn maze, and pick-your-own pumpkins. Free admission. Open daily 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. 720-971-8847,munsonfarms.com.

Ollin Farms, 8675 North 95th St., Longmont. Fresh pumpkins, Western slope fruits, tamales, tortillas and salsas offered at farm stand. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. ollinfarms.com.

Rock Creek Farm U-Pick-em Pumpkin Patch, 2005 S. 112th St., Broomfield. Offers traditional jack-o’-lantern and pie pumpkins in more than 100 acres; also features corn mazes, baked goods, handcrafted gifts. Free admission, cash or check only for harvest goods. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m., through Nov. 1. Three corn mazes, $5-$8, open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 303-465-9565,rockcreekfarm.com.

Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch, 9057 Ute Highway, Longmont. In addition to pumpkin picking and an open-door market, this organic pumpkin ranch has honeybees in their hive; Fall Festival on Saturdays and Sundays in October, featuring a straw maze, paint-your-own pumpkin, petting zoo, inflatable obstacle course, store with fresh produce and cider. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily in October. Free admission, $7 self-guided tours, weekend tickets for activities. 303-684-0087,rockymtnpumpkinranch.com.

Sunflower Farm, 11150 Prospect Road, Longmont. Pumpkin carving, pony rides, animals, tire swings, tree houses, egg collecting, giant sandbox/playhouse, bonfires on Sundays, live music, hay wagon rides. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays; $5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, $6 Saturday and $8 Sunday; 303-774-8001,sunflowerfarminfo.com.