The other morning, I decided to start off our East Valley pumpkin patch tour by heading out to Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party.
For a 2021 review, click here.
From my house in Mesa, it is still about a 30-minute drive, so I knew it would be a long day. We have gone to Schnepf Farms in the past for many of their different occasions. This year, when I saw the event advertised, I was a little shocked by how much it cost. Compared to some of the other pumpkin patches in the East Valley, it is a little bit more expensive per person. But once we got there, I realized that there is a lot more going on than just a pumpkin patch!
We decided to go on Thursday, which has 2 for 1 admission (using the SRP coupon located here). When I pulled in, there was quite a long line to get tickets, and you have to buy these tickets at the gates. We waited about 20 minutes, and once we were inside the farm, I realized that it was not nearly as busy as I was expecting from the line. When we entered, they gave us a really convenient map that shows where all the activities were. They even gave maps to my kids, which made them so excited!
Of course, the first thing they did was open the map and find where the ice cream was! We wandered over to the pumpkin patch and played for a few minutes, and then went and got some ice cream and headed over to the Extreme Canine Dog Show. We’ve seen this show now a few years in a row, and each time it is just as fun as last year! The dogs’ race, jump through hoops, catch frisbees and do various other stunts. It is really fun, in a bit of a different experience that you wouldn’t expect at a pumpkin patch.
Next, we headed over to the ride area. I didn’t even realize that they had rides until this year! They even added quite a few new rides, including the Spinning Teacups, a Hydroloop, and a Ferris Wheel for the kids. The lines were not that long, so we rode a few of the rides and then headed over to get some lunch. By this time, we had already spent over three hours there, and there was still so much more to do!
Obviously, it is called a chili festival, so I definitely needed a bowl of chili! I chose the pumpkin chili and it was great! My picky kids had hot dogs. They also have hamburgers, pulled pork, and pizzas. By the time we finished eating, my kids were exhausted and we were ready to head home.
Looking at the map, there’s so much that we didn’t get to! They have hayrides, corn hole games, a petting zoo, miniature golf, a corn maze, pig races, and various different playgrounds! At night they have bonfires, marshmallow roasting, live music, and have fireworks on Friday and Saturday night! All of these are included in your admission price.
The only things that are not included are the train rides, both during the day and at night (they have a haunted ride at night), pony rides, and various take-home crafts. The food is an additional price, and pumpkins are sold by the size. On their website, the prices for all the food choices and additional activities are listed.
My kids are 2 & 5 and there was a lot for them to do, but they tire out after a few hours! older kids and families spending the entire day and evening here! This is a family event that is comparable to a fair/carnival and is a really unique place in the East Valley. If my kids were just a bit older, I would come out on a Friday or Saturday afternoon, enjoy dinner, and then all of the fun activities that are going on at night! For the younger kids, a Thursday morning is a great time to visit and take advantage of the SRP deal!
Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party happens every Thursday – Sunday in October. The hours are: Sunday & Thursday 10 am – 9 pm, Friday & Saturday 10 am – 10 pm. Admission: $22.00 plus tax at the gate (children under 2 free)
Buy discounted tickets online or at Fry’s Food Stores. More information can be found on their website.
Schnepf Farms
24610 S Rittenhouse Rd
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
(480) 987-3100
A complete list of all the pumpkin patches in Phoenix, including the best in Arizona (perfect for a day trip!) can be found here.
