Last year I finally did it and made it out to Roloff Farms with my family. I had always wanted to go see the pumpkin patch- ever since the Roloffs came into my work in Oregon City in 2006. I had no idea they had a tv show until my coworker told me, after they had left. I’m not a big tv watcher but I wanted to see parts of Oregon on the television and so I tuned in the next time I visited my mom’s house.

It was an episode about the western town and I thought- WOW! This is really cool, I love it. I will admit I actually started dreaming of my own pumpkin patch after that. I’m a fall girly- I love sweaters and scarves and hot drinks and dressing up and all things spooky. Shortly after that I moved back over the hill to Bend to start my own family and the willamette valley pumpkin patches slipped into distant memories

If you've been to the patches here in Central Oregon- you know they have a slightly different vibe. There isn’t much mud and the fall colors can leave you wanting more…back to the main attraction….

Roloff Farms! It was a sunny 80 plus degrees- we drove over early that morning from the cold side of the state and instantly I was reminded of my childhood. My grandparents had a Christmas Tree farm in West Salem (it’s since been sold and is about a million cookie cutter houses all stacked up on each other…its a tragedy honestly) so ... these valley farms really speak to my heart.

Only picture I could find of our old farm- my dad looking very 80's

My dad grew up in this area and we’d drive through the hills on our way to the beach. I love it here.

Our first stop was to chat a little with Isabel- a fellow Wild Oregon Girl- who I connected with through the crazy world of Instagram. We clicked because we both are artists and writers we both love this state, nature, poetry. Oregon girls are forever.

Ever since my great grandma passed ladybugs have been following me around, today was no exception

She showed us around the farm specifically focusing on the animals that she cares for- cute little fuzzy bunnies and kittens! This was Wild Oregon Kid’s favorite part of the day and we went back to spend time with the kitties several times.

Iced coffee and spooky things- yes, please

Then we made our way to the brand new on site coffee shop. I love a good shakey-shakey emotional support coffee and this is way better than starbucks.

We wandered around the farm to see the collection of dinosaurs, play in the school house, and see the baby piggies (more animals!) Then we walked through the SCARY MAZE- there are some really inventive spooks in here and was my favorite part of the farm.

There is a carnival scene with food vendors and games to play. Dave is a bit of a pumpkin cannon wizard so that’s a must. You can even try your hand at gold panning!

We took a train ride around the property to see the western town and look at some more of the zany creations here.

Afterwards we got to talk to Amy for a bit, she dresses up in something different every day the farm is open. On this day she was Winnie The Pooh!

We wandered through the barn and picked up a magnet for my collection- I try to get one everywhere I go. Then it was pumpkin time!

Last stop was to see the kitties one last time….

Then it was off to Helvetia Tavern for lunch. My dad once took Dave and I here shortly before we got married “because we needed to know where to find the best cheeseburger in Oregon”....

Isabel is a writer and artist and you can check out her work here: https://isabelsofia.substack.com/

Roloff Farms Pumpkin Patch

Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

Fishing the Rogue River with Sawyer Station