8 Harvest Festivals To Attend Near Salem, Oregon

Located in Gervais, Oregon, Bauman’s Farm and Garden is home to one of the area’s largest harvest festivals. The festival kicks off Sept. 21 and runs through Oct. 31. Explore the farm, animal barn and corn maze, or take a hay ride, taste apples and visit the jumping pad. The farm also hosts its famous “Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off,” live music and a cornhole tournament during harvest season.

The Beal Pumpkin Patch, in Dallas, Oregon, returns every weekend in October. You’ll find pumpkins in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes, straw bales, mums and cornstalks for your fall decor, while children enjoy potato sack races, a hay bale climbing pyramid, I-spy nature trail and other family-friendly activities. After exploring the farm, stop by one of the onsite food trucks for a treat.

Bringing visitors closer to the fields, orchards and animals of E.Z. Orchards for more than 20 years, this annual harvest festival has a petting zoo, live bluegrass music, duck races and a corn maze in the shape of Oregon with more than 40 signs that indicate towns and places of historic and geographic interest throughout the state. The Salem orchard is also known for its delicious seasonal treats, including kettle corn, warm apple cider donuts and caramel apples. This year’s festival runs from Sept. 28–Oct. 31.

Giant slides, hay rides and a beer garden are just part of the fun at this harvest festival in Aurora, Oregon. Visit the farm every weekend from Oct. 5-27 to partake in its autumn activities, like pumpkin bowling, nature trail walks and cow train rides, purchase seasonal goods and grab a cup of freshly-pressed apple cider.

Warm up at this Northeast Salem farm with your favorite seasonal treats, including melt-in-your-mouth scones and freshly-baked pies. The farm also has a corn cannon, a three-acre field of pumpkins, a six-acre corn maze, including a haunted maze on select evenings, and several other options for family-friendly fun. The festival opens Oct. 1 and runs through the end of the month. fordycefarm.com

Get ready for a day at the races – pig races, that is. French Prairie Gardens, in St. Paul, Oregon, offers more than 15 seasonal activities throughout October, including pig races, u-pick apple orchards and a ninja challenge course. The festival is open starting the first weekend of October.

Head to Jefferson, Oregon, this fall for a day of seasonal fun. With a hay maze, duck races and a petting zoo, the garden has several free, kid-friendly options. Purchase a wristband to participate in all of the farm’s activities, including pedal karts, hay rides and play tunnels. The farm is open daily in October. greensbridgegardens.com

Growing pumpkins for more than 50 years, Vince Woods Farm, in Salem, is known for its u-pick pumpkin patch. The farm also has a kid-friendly corn maze, a “gently haunted” 1941 Southern Pacific caboose and squash and ornamental corn for your fall decorating. The farm is open throughout the month of October.