Fall fun 2016: The Great Pumpkin Farm

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/Stuart Miles

The Great Pumpkin Farm, located at 11199 Main St. in Clarence, is full of fall fun for families, especially on festival weekends. The Farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to dusk from Saturday, September 17 through Monday, October 31, but the weekend festivals are what really draw in the crowds.

The Farm will open Saturday and Sunday, September 17-18 for a free preview weekend, with activities available for a small fee. The Farm also hosts the Buffalo Zombie Mud Run on Saturday, September 17 – the event is held separately from the festival; get more information at buffalozombiemudrun.com.

“Oinktoberfest,” taking place Friday through Sunday, September 23-25, is the annual BBQ cook-off at the Farm. Friday is preview night, with free admission from 5-9 p.m., but Farm activities will not be open; admission on Saturday and Sunday is $7 each day. In addition to great food, there will be live music all three days.

On Saturday and Sunday, October 1-2, check out the World Pumpkin Weigh-Off and the Nickel City Reptile Show each day from 2:30-3:30 p.m..

Columbus Day weekend (Saturday through Monday, October 8-10) features the Pumpkin Olympics, plus the annual Pumpkin Drop on Monday.

The High School Trebuchet Contest takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16, where local high school building their own pumpkin catapult for the distance contest. You can also check out Dinosaurs in the Corn Maze from noon-4 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, October 22-23 is the World Pumpkin Pie Eating Competition (amateurs on Saturday, professionals on Sunday), plus pig racing five times a day.

Saturday and Sunday, October 29-30, is the final weekend for 2016. A costume contest will be held both days (kids at 1:30 p.m., adults at 4 p.m.), and all attractions will be running. Nickel City Reptiles and Exotic Animals return for one show each day from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Tickets for all Great Pumpkin Farm festivals are available in advance at Wegmans; admission during non-festival days is free. For more information on the Great Pumpkin Farm, visit www.greatpumpkinfarm.com or call 716-759-8483 or 716-759-2260.