Update: Dutch Hollow event canceled. Modesto region farms offer corn mazes, fall season fun
As the season has switched to fall, the search for family fun turns to corn mazes, pumpkin patches and a variety of other autumn-inspired activities.
In the Modesto region, many of those activities traditionally have been found at four large farms – Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop, Dutch Hollow Farms in Modesto, Fantozzi Farms in Patterson and R.A.M. Farms in Turlock.
But this year’s seasonal transformation is unlike any other, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Still, fall fun will be had, thanks to the farms listed above – with some pandemic-related changes.
“We are going to try our best to offer a safe activity for families to participate in locally,” said Karen Macedo, who owns R.A.M. Farms with her husband.
Macedo said they’ve widened the paths in their corn maze, for instance, to help with social distancing and have set up other coronavirus-related precautions.
The size of Dutch Hollow Farms is such that it allows for plenty of room for people to stretch out, owner John Bos said.
“The wonderful thing about our farm is it’s so large social distancing isn’t an issue,” he said. It includes a 10-acre maze with another 10 acres of farm space.
Dutch Hollow held a craft fair in September as “kind of our little test,” he said. “It went extremely well.”
A look at what’s planned at the farms
Dell’Osso Family Farm: Oct. 3-31. Face masks are required while visiting the farm and people are required to practice 6-foot social distancing, according to its website. Staff will wear face masks and hand sanitizing stations will be provided throughout. Staff also will sanitize high-touch areas. The farm in Lathrop offers its large corn maze, haunted house, pumpkin patch, animal displays, giant slide and more. There will be food available for purchase. Hours are Mondays-Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last entries will be allowed in one hour before closing time. Tickets are $15 Mondays-Thursdays, $17 Fridays-Sundays, free ages 2 and under. Most attractions are included with admission but some do have additional fees. 26 W. Stewart Road, Lathrop. For more see pumpkinmaze.com.
Dutch Hollow Farms: Through Oct. 31. Customers will be asked to wear masks and sanitation and hand-washing stations will be provided. On the Modesto-Riverbank border, this farm has a petting zoo, corn pit, jump pad, zip lines, hamster wheels, hayrides and a 10-acre corn maze. A drive-through trunk-or-treat that had been scheduled for Halloween has been canceled. Open daily 9 to 7 p.m., until 9 p.m. as the season progresses. Free to enter pumpkin patch, $10 for attractions. 5101 Oakdale Road, Modesto. www.dutchhollowfarms.com.
Fantozzi Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch: Oct. 3-31. Employees and guests will be required to wear face coverings and maintain physical distancing, according to an email from Denise Fantozzi. There will be touchless hand sanitizer dispensers at each activity area. Attractions include two large corn mazes, a hay bale maze, hay pyramids, pumpkin patch, zombie shooting range, corn cannons and more. There will be a drive-through haunted maze Fridays-Saturdays, 7 to 10 p.m., $20 per car. Regular hours are Mondays-Thursdays, 4 to 7 p.m.; Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission to the corn maze and most attractions is $10, free ages 4 and under. Some attractions have an additional charge. 2665 Sperry Ave. Patterson. 209-892-2015.
R.A.M. Farms: Oct. 2-31. A 20-acre corn maze is available at the farm in Turlock. Along with widening the corn maze paths, employees will wear masks and they are providing hand sanitation stations around the farm. Visitors must wear masks when they can’t keep 6 feet from other people, Macedo said. The corn maze hosts Freaky Flashlight Nights on Fridays and Saturdays (take your own flashlights) beginning at dusk for $11. Also available, a scary shed, hay maze and pumpkin patch. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m. to dusk; Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. $9, $7 ages 5-11. 716 N. Daubenberger Road, Turlock. ramfarms.com.
This story was originally published October 2, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
