By Valley Ag Voice Staff
The Fall season in Kern County offers the community with ample opportunities to support local farms and participate in one of the most beloved traditions — picking out pumpkins! Bakersfield hosts some of the most iconic pumpkin patches in the county, with new activities added to the roster each year.
The newest addition to the industry opened last year in a temporary location and has since moved to a 20-acre plot at 4011 Wegis Ave. Cherry Acres was founded by Sarah Flippin and her business partner in 2022 out of a desire to pursue an agriculture business in the nation’s top-producing county.
“I was really interested and always liked the farming business, so I really wanted to do something in [agriculture],” Flippin said. “So, we built it last year within a month—we had a pumpkin patch for the public, and now we’re here a year later doing the same thing.”
The pumpkin patch will open on Oct. 2 with an array of activities planned including, but not limited to, a pumpkin patch, sunflower field, corn maze, petting zoo, live music, movie nights, and even a pumpkin launcher.
Flippin explained that supporting other local businesses is a large part of her mission and hosts several vendors and food trucks throughout the season.
“We try to keep people buying local, you know, so we will have little boutiques with Fall stuff out there,” Flippin said. “But we try to get people involved, and they just pay a small fee to have a vendor boost.”
Banducci’s Family Pumpkin Patch is another Bakersfield Fall staple. The family-owned business generally opens at the start of October and offers a range of festivities, including corn mazes, pony rides, and, of course, pumpkins.
Located at the iconic Big Red Barn, Murray Family Farms also has several Halloween festivities in motion. October Fun Fest will open on Sept. 30, offering family-friendly entertainment and activities. Festivities are open from Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from noon to 8 p.m.