The pumpkins have bulked up to orange perfection, the pigs are ready to race and the corn has grown tall enough to lose a kid or two in.
By this weekend or next, pumpkin patches and corn mazes all over will be throwing open their doors.
Despite rising costs of everything except your paycheck, people still want to have fun in the fall. Here are several area farms that offer pick-your-own pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes and plenty of other attractions. It’s always a good idea to check the website or social media before heading out to brush up on the rules.
Abbey Farms: Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday and Columbus Day Sept. 16-Oct. 29; open until 10 p.m. Saturdays in October. At 2855 Hart Road. Tickets: $18-$23. 630-966-7775; Abbeyfarms.org.
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The 15th anniversary of Pumpkin Daze includes a giant corn maze and other activities.
Johansen Farms Children’s Zoo and Fall Festival: Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 15-29 and weekdays in October. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 30 and weekends. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Columbus Day Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 27 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 31. At 710 W. Boughton Road. Tickets: $14.95 weekdays, $19.95 weekends and Columbus Day; $12.95/$17.95 seniors 62 and over. Kids 23 months and younger free. 630-759-8711; Johansenfarms.com.
Come for the Children’s Zoo, stay for the 25,000 pumpkins. Trick-or-Treat at the Zoo Oct. 31.
Dollinger Family Farm: Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 11-Oct. 30. At 7420 E. Hansel Road. Tickets: free admission, some activities cost extra. 815-467-6766; Dollingerfarms.com.
This farm boasts a four-acre corn maze, pumpkins, a play area for the kids; plus, train rides, hay hides and face painting on the weekends.
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Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm: Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 23-Oct. 29. At 17250 S. Weber Road. Tickets: $19.95 weekdays, $24.95 weekends and Columbus Day. Weekend and Columbus Day all-inclusive and combo passes $27.95-$36.95. 800-304-3276; Ourpumpkinfarm.com.
This year’s theme for the 10-acre corn maze is Super Mario Bros. on weekends and Columbus Day only. There’s a you-pick pumpkin patch and plenty of activities at this farm.
Windy Acres Farmstand Fall Fest: Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 16- Oct. 31. At 37W446 Fabyan Parkway. Tickets: $18 weekdays, $22 weekends and Columbus Day. $2 less for seniors 65 and older. Kids 2 and under free. Veterans and active military personnel are free with ID. 630-232-6429; Windyacresfarmstand.com/fall-fest.
New attractions like a corn bin join favorites like the corn maze and zip lines.
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Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm: Hours vary Sept. 15-Oct. 31. At 13341 W. 151st St. Tickets: $19.99-$36.99. Veterans or military personnel with ID is free. Kids age 1 and under free. 708-301-3276; Pumpkinfarm.com.
Highlights include the tractor-pulled hayrack rides, the six-lane slide and the pig races. The farm is cashless this year.
Konow’s Corn Maze: Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; except 3-8 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays Sept. 16-Oct. 30. Closed Oct. 5. At 16849 S. Cedar Road. Tickets: $15 weekdays, $18 weekends and Columbus Day; 2 and younger free. Active military personnel and veterans free with military ID. 708-301-8845; Konowscornmaze.com.
This farm offers a large and small corn maze, hayrides and other activities; including more to do on the weekends.
Happy Times Pumpkin Fest: Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 16-Oct. 29. Closed Tuesdays. At 16678 W. Aptakisic Road. Tickets: free admission; attractions and rides cost multiple tickets. 847-383-6958; happytimespumpkinfest.com/.
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Attractions include rides, a corn maze, wagon rides and petting zoo. Some activities are on weekends and Columbus Day only.
The corn maze, playground and pumpkin patch are highlights at this farm. Hayrides to the pumpkin patch on weekends and Fridays and Columbus Day in October. Other attractions include a moonlight hayride, flashlight maze and haunted hayride.
Kuipers Family Farm: Fall fest hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and Columbus Day; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays and Mondays Sept. 16-Oct. 29. At 1N318 Watson Road. Tickets: September: $17.99 online weekends and $14.99 online weekdays; add $2 at the gate. October: $21.99 online weekends and Columbus Day and $18.99 weekdays, add $2 at the gate. $11.99 seniors 65 and older and military with ID at the gate only. Children 2 and under free. Jumping pillow $2. Combo tickets to the apple orchard are available. 815-827-5200; Kuipersfamilyfarm.com.
Attractions include a corn maze, hay wagon rides and pig races.
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Keller’s Farmstand: Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends only and Columbus Day Sept. 9-Oct. 29. At 2500 Johnson Road. Tickets: $14, kids 4 and under free. 630-219-8194; Kellersfarmstand.com/fall/saturday-sunday-fall-festivities.
There is an eight-acre corn maze, children’s activities and a play area. You-pick apples and pumpkins are available for an extra fee.
Woody’s Orchard: Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays and Columbus Day to Oct. 29. At 3223 Creek Road. Tickets: Play yard admission $10.95-$16.95 in September and $16.95-$22.95 in October. 630-247-9302; Woodysorchard.com.
The orchard has about 20 varieties of apples and there is no admission to pick. There is a two-acre pumpkin field plus a Play Yard full of attractions.
Goebbert’s Farm and Garden Center: Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 9-Oct. 30. Closes at 3 p.m. Oct. 31. At 40 W. Higgins Road. Tickets: $18 weekdays and $22 weekends and Columbus Day ages 3 and up. Seniors: $16 daily. 847-428-6727; goebbertspumpkinfarm.com/fall-festival.
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Weekend entries are timed and tickets includes admission to Animal Land, Little Farmer’s Play Yard, Haunted House and the farm.
Richardson Adventure Farm: Hours are 3-9 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 12-9 p.m. Sundays and Columbus Day Sept. 9-Oct. 29. At 909 English Prairie Road. Tickets: $20-$24 in September and $20-$30 in October. Kids 2 and under are free. Some activities cost extra. 815-675-9729; Richardsonadventurefarm.com.
If you’re looking for a challenge, this corn maze offers nearly 10 miles of trails. Many other attractions, including a pumpkin patch, await at this farm.
Odyssey Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maize: Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Sept. 23-Oct. 29, except Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4. At 18900 Oak Park Ave. Tickets: $22 weekdays/$24 weekends and Columbus Day. 708-429-3800; Odysseyfunfarm.com.
The corn maze and pumpkin patch might be main attractions, but this farm boasts many other activities.
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Kroll’s Fall Harvest Farm: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays, 12-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays and Columbus Day Sept. 16-Oct. 31. Closed Tuesdays. Timed entry tickets are required for all guests on the weekends. At 13236 W. Town Line Road. Tickets: $6-$8 weekdays; $12-$14 weekends and Columbus Day. 847-662-5733; Krollsfarm.com.
Come to the farm for pumpkins, petting zoo, hayrides and a corn maze.
All Seasons Apple Orchard: Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends and Columbus Day to Oct. 29. At 14510 Illinois Route 176. Tickets: $24-$32 for combination barnyard and apple orchard tickets. 815-338-5637; Allseasonsorchard.com.
There is apple picking, pumpkin picking and plenty of fall activities. Some activities cost extra.
Sonny Acres Farm: Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays Sept. 16-Oct. 29. Later hours Fridays-Sundays after Sept. 29. At 29W310 North Ave. Tickets: free admission; wristbands $10-$25. 630-231-3859; sonnyacres.com/current-hours/.
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Activities include train ride, giant swing, giant slide, jumping pillow, petting zoo and amusement rides. The haunted hayride, barn and trail open Sept. 29-Oct. 29. Some attractions only open Fridays-Sundays.
County Line Orchard: Hours for you-pick are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily to Oct. 31. 200 S. County Line Road. Tickets: $3. You-pick pumpkins are 40 cents a pound up to $15. Passes for corn maze and activities are $7-$14. 219-947-4477; Countylineorchard.com.
You-pick pumpkins, giant corn maze, Kid’s Farm and more are available.
Garwood Orchards: Hours for you-pick are 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through October. At 5911 W. 50 South. Tickets: pumpkins cost $7 or four for $20. 219-362-4385; Garwoodapplefarm.com.
Horse and wagon rides to take you to the picking areas. Check the website for ripening dates of the several varieties of apples.
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Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch: Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends Sept. 30-Oct. 29. At 17904 Grant St. Tickets: $19.95 online (coming soon) or $24.95 at the gate. Gem mining and corn cannons cost extra. 219-440-2386; Harvesttymefun.com.
Attractions include amusement rides, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze and more.
Kregel’s Pumpkin Patch: Hours are 10:30-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 12-6 p.m. Sundays Sept. 30-Oct. 30. 7705 W. 159th Ave. Tickets: 2023 prices have not been set yet; 2022 prices were $9-$11 for a weekend pass ($2 less Monday-Thursday). 219-690-1503; Kregelspumpkinpatch.com.
Barnyard activities include a corn maze, petting zoo and hayrides to the pumpkin patch.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
Indiana Pacers (22-19, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (21-19, eighth in the Eastern Conference)
Detroit; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Indiana visits Detroit looking to extend its four-game road winning streak.
The Pistons are 15-14 against Eastern Conference opponents. Detroit is sixth in the Eastern Conference with 33.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Jalen Duren averaging 6.2.
The Pacers are 4-4 against Central Division teams. Indiana is 11-11 in games decided by at least 10 points.
The Pistons are shooting 46.9% from the field this season, 0.4 percentage points lower than the 47.3% the Pacers allow to opponents. The Pacers are shooting 48.9% from the field, 2.0% higher than the 46.9% the Pistons’ opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tobias Harris is averaging 13.3 points and 6.4 rebounds for the Pistons.
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Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 18.1 points and 8.8 assists for the Pacers.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pistons: 8-2, averaging 113.9 points, 44.4 rebounds, 25.9 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.5 points per game.
Pacers: 7-3, averaging 116.9 points, 44.1 rebounds, 29.6 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.7 points.
INJURIES: Pistons: Jaden Ivey: out (leg).
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton: day to day (hamstring), Aaron Nesmith: out (ankle), Isaiah Jackson: out for season (calf), James Wiseman: out for season (calf).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Below-zero temperatures are in the forecast Tuesday night, so protect your family, home and pets. But there is a day in the 40s in the seven-day forecast.
INDIANAPOLIS — Dangerous cold is in the forecast overnight with lows going below zero and wind chills near -15 into Wednesday morning.
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Forecast
Tonight: Clear and very cold — Lows minus-10 to 0 degrees.
Wednesday: Sunny and cold — Highs 15-20 degrees.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy with a few flurries and snow showers — Highs in the lower 30s.
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Friday: Some sun, more mild with highs near 40 degrees.
Remember your home, family and pets need extra attention when it gets this cold. School delays are possible early Wednesday.
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You will need all of the layers on Wednesday. It will be sunny, but it will be cold with highs in the teens.
We are tracking a gradual warming trend for later this week and the start of the weekend. Forecast highs are in the lower 30s on Thursday. A few flurries and snow showers are possible on Thursday, too.
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The big weather story on Friday is forecast highs near 40 degrees. Friday will also be a dry day.
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Our next weather system arrives Friday night and brings rain and snow chances.
More cold air is in the forecast for early next week.