When You Think of Pumpkin Patch...

I decided quite a few years ago, that I wanted to start a family tradition with my children. Something they would want to follow for the rest of their lives, even after they created their own families. The tradition I came up with was an annual visit to the pumpkin patch. (I live in Virginia, its a big thing here) So after about 5 years of this, we may have to find a new tradition. Let me explain why. First of all, when you think of a pumpkin patch, what do you picture?

A big farm, a hay ride...

a nice slow, bumpy trip through the fields leading to the pumpkin patch...

Running through the vines, trying not to trip, while searching for the perfect pumpkin to take home and carve into the perfect Jack-o-lantern for the front porch! Maybe even a nice, steamy cup of hot apple cider while standing by the bon fire, warming back up after the fall weather has you shivering... Maybe a stop by the pool of corn for a fun little "swim" with the other children. And maybe even a small petting zoo, just to really get you into the "down on the farm" feeling...

I don't know about you but this is definitely my idea of a trip to the pumpkin patch. Every year we have gone to the same patch and every year it has gotten a bit more commercial. But somehow, it still managed to hold onto some of the "down on the farm" it was meant to have.

Until this year...I felt more like I had just taken a drive out to the state fair

Minus the lights and big rides, this is more like what we saw when we arrived this year. They had an admission menu that started at $5.00 per person (any age) that included admission into the patch, the hay ride and use of their facilities. They had 3 other choices that ranged from $10 - $20 per person (any age) that included all of their "rides", the haunted house, the corn maze, the corn cannons, the blow up jump houses, the pony rides, the "tractor train" etc. WTF?! And you still had to pay their over inflated per pound price for the pumpkins! Unfortunately, we had already promised the kids they could have lunch and cider at the patch, before we knew they had changed everything. Otherwise, I would have gotten back in my van and went somewhere else! Last year, we spent about $60 to get the kids one ride a piece and a pumpkin too. This year we spent approximately $100 just to get in, eat a hot dog, share some apple cider, and get pumpkins for each kid! And to top it off, I couldn't even get any decent pictures of the family at the patch! I look forward to getting that photo every year. Everyone dressed in their fall clothes, looking cozy, and the backdrop of partially changed leaves, pumpkins and a barn. Not this year! I couldn't get a picture because the place was so overcrowded that every time we tried to get into formation, people would walk in front of us. I finally gave up. I actually planned on using this photo at the top of my blog, but now I guess I will have to do something else. Oh, and I didn't even tell you about the DJ they hired to blast country music so loud that you couldn't hear yourself think! Needless to say, we will not be returning next year. I can't believe they have allowed themselves to be bitten by the bug. You know, the "chi-ching" bug. I am pretty sure they made plenty of money before they became so commercialized. And I am pretty sure they will now lose money. Because I can't imagine anyone loading their kids up every fall to drive out into the country for a taste of the city! Just had to vent. And if you live in Virginia...don't waste your time or money on the Chesterfield Berry Farm's Pumpkin Patch!