The leaves are changing and the pumpkins are ripening, which can only mean that fall is here! 

There are a plethora of local fall activities and many farm businesses are opening for the season with new additions to the events they provide. These farms open their doors for fall and give patrons access to their harvested crops- mostly apples and pumpkins- as well as provide themed rides, animal petting, obstacle courses, refreshments, and other entertainment for people to enjoy. 

Orchard & Co.

Most locally- as in, just down the road- Orchard & Co. has gained significant popularity within the Plain City community due to their vast apple orchard and activities for children. 

Orchard & Co. opens just before other farms to offer U-Pick events for customers to pick their own apples from the orchard. The U-Pick dates depend on the harvest times of different types of apples, but begin August 14th and end October 9th.

In addition to apple picking, the orchard also houses many farmyard activities including animal feeding, zip lines, various slides and swings, go-karts, a jumping pillow, and pumpkin picking. 

Orchard & Co. is open on Saturdays and Sundays for September 11th through October 31st from 11am to 6pm. Admission is $12.00 for adults and children, $5.00 for seniors, and children under 2 years old get in free. They also offer a season pass for $20.00 and additional events such as fishing, gem mining, and paintball cost extra. 

The MAiZE

The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek is another very popular fall destination, especially for teenagers because of their more Halloween-centered scary activities. 

The MAiZE specializes in creative corn maze patterns; this year, for example, their maze is in the shape of Ohio golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The MAiZE’s claim to fame, however, is their Field of Fright: an interactive “haunted” corn maze with costumed characters and special effects. This maze costs extra and is not included in the basic pass for the farm. 

The MAiZE also includes the traditional farm activities like obstacle courses, cannons, animal petting, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, paintball, and lazer tag, all of which are included in the basic pass. 

This year, The MAiZE is open on Fridays from 5-10pm, Saturdays from 12-10pm, and Sundays from 12-6pm.

The cost of the basic pass is $14.00 for patrons ages 3-59, $5.50 for those over 59, and free for those under 3. The combo pass, which includes paintball and the various cannon offerings, is $18.00 for those under 59 and $9.50 for those 60 years old and older. The Field of Fright has an exclusive admission of $21.00, or can be added to a combo pass for $7. Also offered is a season pass that grants base admission for the entire season for $28.00. 

Leeds Farm

Leeds Farm in Ostrander also features many of the activities that the other farms have, however Leeds does not require an admission pass for pumpkin and gourd shopping, animal petting, or their pond bridge. 

In addition to the admission-free activities, a general admission pass gains access to different themed slides, pedal carts, pig races, the small zip line, a sandbox with corn instead of sand, hayrides, and straw forts. 

Leeds farm is open on weekends from September 18th through October 30th from 10am-5pm. 

General Admission is $15.00 for those 3-54 years old and $5.00 for those 55 and older and tickets are currently only available online. They offer a large zip line for additional cost, however the majority of activities are included in General Admission. 

Overall, most of these fall farm businesses have very similar events and offerings to patrons. Leeds farm has more entertainment and is more geared towards younger children, while the haunted MAiZE is more suitable for older teenagers/adults. Orchard & Co. has more actual farm things- crops, animals, and wildlife- unlike the other two areas. 

Regardless of which farm you choose, all of them are great outlets to get out and enjoy the fall weather. For more in-depth information on each farm, please see the resources below:

Orchard & Co:

7255 US HWY 42 | Plain City, OH 43064

http://www.theorchardandcompany.com/

(614) 873-0510

The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek: 

8657 Axe Handle Rd | Milford Center OH 43045

https://www.mazeandberries.com

(937) 349-4781

Leeds Farm:

8738 Marysville Rd | Ostrander OH 43061

https://www.leedsfarm.com/index.php

(740) 666-2020