iN PHOTOS: Fall fun for families in Okanagan, Kamloops

Autumn has arrived with its cooler temperatures and all its changing colours in Kamloops and the Okanagan.

There are many places for families to take in the season, including the brief sunflower blooms, festive pumpkin patches and corn mazes. Here are just a few places for families to embrace autumn. 

CENTRAL OKANAGAN

McMillan Farms in Kelowna has a lot to offer families including a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a corn maze and food trucks.

Located at 3690 Berard Road, the farm is open for the fall season festivities from Sept. 27 to Oct. 31, every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tickets for the pumpkin patch and corn maze cost less than ten dollars and can be purchased here.

It takes roughly half an hour to walk through the three-acre Halloween corn maze at Kelowna Corn Maze in Glenmore, and every year there is a different layout to explore. By day it is a fun challenge and by night there are a few spooky surprises waiting.

Located at 539 Valley Road, visitors can enjoy fire pits and concessions after the walk. Kelowna Corn Maze will be providing details on their website soon.

Don-O-Ray Farms is a favourite place for families in Kelowna where all ages can enjoy the farm’s petting zoo and a hedge maze, take in fun activities like archery and get airbrushed tattoos. The farm gets decked out for the spooky season and offering a large selection of fresh pumpkins from the patch and a Haunted Farm Adventure.

Located at 3443 Benvoulin Road, the petting zoo and Halloween themed events run throughout the month of October on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for just ten dollars per person. More information can be found here. 

NORTH OKANAGAN 

At the fifth annual Bloom Sunflower Festival inSpallumcheen visitors can wander through four acres of sunflowers featuring more than 20 different varietals. There will be ample photo opportunities, food trucks and picnic area with lawn games.

Located at 4829 Salmon River Road, the festival runs from Oct. 3 to Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets to the Bloom Sunflower Festival cost an adult $18.00 plus tax, with cheaper rates for children and seniors.

Visitors can choose from a variety of colourful pumpkins at Davison Orchards Country Village in Vernon. There are animals to see in the barn and a play area for kids.

Located at 3111 Davison Road, the farm market and U-pick pumpkin patch is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day until Oct. 31. See all the activities offered here.

There’s always lots to do at Historic O’Keefe Ranch in Vernon and the fall season is no different. Visitors to the farm can take a scenic wagon ride, visit the general store, navigate the corn maze,  toast marshmallows on a crackling fire or go through the kid friendly haunted house. 

Located at 9380 Highway 97, the ranch is open Saturday and Sunday throughout October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the ranch is by donation. Once on the grounds, admission to the haunted house is $5 per child.

Field of Screams has also returned to the ranch’s corn mazes for the Halloween season with the gates opening at 6:30 p.m. every night from Sept. 27 to Nov. 2. Tickets can be purchased here.

THOMPSON NICOLA

Pumpkin season starts on Oct. 1 at Pete Murray’s Pumpkin Patch west of Chase where visitors can go through a corn maze, enjoy a wagon ride and choose from a wide variety of orange and white pumpkins at a pumpkin patch. Located at 5973 VLA Road, the farm is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days per week throughout October. No dogs are allowed.

Pumpkin patch tours are also available Oct. 1 onward at Desert Hills Ranch in Ashcroft, where groups of little ones can come for a wagon ride and to pick the perfect pumpkin for them. There are barnyard animals to visit and fresh produce for sale, and lots of farm views to snap photos of.

Did we miss a pumpkin patch or corn maze in your neck of the woods? Let us know at news@infonews.ca.