2011 Downtown Pensacola Trick or Treat

October 25, 2011 By Jen Leave a Comment

What: Trick or Treat; Where: Downtown Pensacola; When: October 28 4pm to 6pm; Cost: FREE

It is time for the Downtown Pensacola Trick or Treat event! I heard from a lot of readers last year that they really enjoyed this event. I am ashamed to admit that we haven’t made it down there yet, but we are going to try this year.

According to Downtown Pensacola, approximately 50 businesses are participating on Palafox, Jefferson and Garden Streets. Children 9 and under can trick or treat at the participating businesses. Trick or treating will be on October 28 from 4pm to 6pm.

Participating businesses will be marked with balloons and a bright orange Halloween Trick-or-Treat poster.

For more information, contact alex@downtownpensacola.com and be sure to check Downtown Pensacola for any changes and updates.

Photo Courtesy of sticviews.com via Flickr

Filed Under: Things to Do Tagged With: Fall, Halloween

Pensacola Interstate Fair

October 18, 2011 By Jen Leave a Comment

It’s almost fair time! I asked on the Pensacola with Kids Facebook page what your favorite part about the fair was and most all of the answers included fair food! Even if you don’t like the rides (and to be honest with you, I am not a fan of a ride that can be packed up and moved somewhere else!), there are so many activities for families!

The Pensacola Interstate Fair runs from October 20th to October 30th and is located at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds. The fair can be an expensive adventure, so be sure to check out some of these family friendly specials that are running throughout the ten days!

(Always follow the link to the fair page to confirm the day, price, and deal!)

Thursday, October 20

Grand Opening – $2 for adults and children

Saturday, October 22

Kid’s Day – All kids under the age of 11 years and under will be admitted free to the fair from 10am to 2pm

Sunday, October 23

Buddy Day – Bring a buddy and two get in for the price of one from 10am to 2pm (highest admission applies)

Monday, October 24

School Day Special – $5 admission from 2pm to 5pm

Saturday, October 29

Kid’s Day – All kids under the age of 11 years and under will be admitted free to the fair from 10am to 2pm

Sunday, October 30

Special Admission Family Day – $5 admission

There are a bunch of other discount options throughout the week so be sure to check the schedule before you go.

Filed Under: Things to Do Tagged With: Fall

Fall Activity Roundup

October 17, 2011 By Jen Leave a Comment

Over the past few weeks, I have posted a bunch of fall activities! I wanted to put them all in one place so that it would be easy to locate!

Haunted Houses and Ghost Tours

It’s the Great Pumpkin Patch List!

Corn and Hay Mazes

Do you have a fall activity to add to the list? Leave us a comment!

Filed Under: Things to Do Tagged With: Fall

Haunted Houses and Ghosts Tours

October 11, 2011 By Jen Leave a Comment

Hay and corn mazes and pumpkin patches provide lots of family fun. I have a secret to share. That is about as scary as it gets for us because I usually stick to that sort of Halloween activity. The thought of walking through a haunted house makes my skin crawl. Luckily, my kids are still young enough that they don’t dig the scary activities either! I have a few more years before I find myself running from someone covered in pretend blood wielding a chainsaw but if you want to be scared (a little or a lot!) try these haunted houses and ghost tours!

Main Street Milton Haunted House – Dates: October 21-23 and 26-31; Location: 6674 Elva Street; Cost: $5; Kiddie Matinee available

Annual Ghosts of Milton Walking Tour- Dates: October 28 and October 29; Location: Milton; Cost: Adults $10; Children 5-12 $5; Children in strollers free (check or cash only, no credit cards)

Fear City Nights Seville Quarter Haunted House – Dates: Fridays and Saturdays in October (follow link for times); Location: Seville Quarter; Cost: General admission $15 Saturday Matinee 3pm-5pm $7; Kiddie Matinee available

Haunted House Walking and Trolley Tours – Dates: Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29; Location: Tours leave Pensacola Historical Museum; Cost: Walking Tours – $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under. Trolley Tours – $16 adults, $8 children 12 and under. Be a ghost hunter – Ghost Meter rentals are only $5.00 per tour per participant

Wales West Railway Halloween Pumpkin Patch Express and Ghoul Family Night Trains – Dates: Various dates in the month of October; Location: Wales West Railway; Cost: $12

Filed Under: Things to Do Tagged With: Fall, Halloween

Corn and Hay Mazes in Pensacola & Surrounding Areas (2011)

October 3, 2011 By Jen 6 Comments

*This is our 2011 list. See the updated 2012 list of Corn and Hay Mazes in Pensacola and Surrounding Areas.

October already? Am I the only one saying this? It seems like the kids just started school the other day and now it is time to start looking for Halloween costumes and holiday decorations. One of our favorite things to do in October is visit the corn and hay mazes in the area. We usually try to visit one a weekend. The kids absolutely love it and my oldest has gotten quite good at getting out of the maze!

Be sure to follow the links or phone ahead of time to confirm dates and times. Most of the corn mazes take cash or check only so be sure to check before you go. They are listed in alphabetical order.

Beaver Creek Maze, Baker, Florida – Beaver Creek Maze offers a corn maze, a hay bale maze for the younger kids, and a pumpkin patch. Beaver Creek Maze is open Saturdays 9 – 5 and Sundays 11 – 5 during the month of October. Admission is free for children 3 and under and $5.00 for everyone else. They are located at 278 Dusty Trail in Baker, Florida and their phone number is 850-537-1981.

Dixon Primary’s Haystackular, Pace, Florida – Haystackular is the largest hay bale maze constructed in Northwest Florida! There is a maze, food for sale, hay ride and more. Haystackular is open during the month of October on Fridays from 4pm to 9pm, Saturdays from 12pm to 9pm, and Sundays from 12pm to 6pm. Admission is $5 and some activities have an additional cost associated with them. They are located at the field across from Dixon Primary in Pace.

Magnolia Corn Maze, Magnolia Springs, Alabama – Magnolia Corn Maze offers the maze, corn cannon, cow train, hayride, petting zoo, pony rides and more. Magnolia Corn Maze is open during the month of October on Fridays from 5pm to 9pm, Saturdays 11am to 9pm, and Sundays 12pm to 5pm. Admission is $10 and there are other activities with some additional cost associated with them. They are located on CR49 in Magnolia Springs. Directions are available on the website. Their phone number is 251-605-7216.

Seward Farms, Lucedale, Mississippi – This corn maze is probably the furthest away but it came highly recommended last year so I thought that I would keep it on the list in case you were headed that direction! Seward Farms offers a corn maze, pig races, hayride, farm animals, corn cannon, jumping “pillow”, and more. Seward Farms is open Saturdays, Sept. 24-Nov. 5, from 10 am to 9 pm. They are closed Sundays. Admission prices begin at $12. They are located at 10836 Tanner Williams Road in Lucedale, Mississippi.

Sweet Season Farms, Milton, Florida – Sweet Season Farms offers the corn maze, haybale maze, cow train, playground, corn cannon and more. Sweet Season Farms is open October 1-November 6th on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm and Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. Admission is $5 and there are additional activities available at an additional cost. They are located at 2260 Horn Road in Milton and their phone number is 850-675-3573.

Did we miss any fall mazes? If we did, please leave us a comment or send us an email and we will add it to our list! Also, last year we shared information for Maizing Family Fun Farm but their website has not been updated this year. If you have any info as to whether they are open this year, please let us know!

Filed Under: Seasonal Activities, Things to Do Tagged With: Alabama, Fall, Milton, Outside Activities, Pensacola

Jay Peanut Festival

September 29, 2011 By Jen Leave a Comment

What: peanut festival; Where: 3604 Pine Level Church Rd., Jay; When: October 1 and 2 from 9am to 6pm; Cost: Parking and admission are FREE

For the past 20 years, the Jay Peanut Festival has grown to be a favorite fall festival among families! Activities include the 1930s Farm Museum, food booths, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, games and fun. There will be pony rides, horse rides, hay rides, wagon rides, inflatable rides, bungie jump, aqua bubbles, rock-climbing wal, mechanical bull riding, train ride, and more for the kids. Also, kids ages 4 to 12 can participate in the pig chase at 2 p.m. on Saturday. They might do it again 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. On Sunday there will also be a Pet Dress-up Parade and Contest at 2 p.m. All will have cash prizes.

There will be live music throughout the festival. On Sunday, there will be a church service. They recommend that you bring your own lawn chairs or a blanket if you would like to have a seat to listen!

Of course, while you are there don’t forget to try the peanuts! You can try them green, boiled, roasted, fried, candied, and in baked goods! I am hoping to locate a piece of peanut brittle!

The festival will be on October 1 and 2 from 9am to 6pm. Admission and parking is free.

Have you been to the peanut festival? What did you think?

**We have a couple of great giveaways going on right now! If you haven’t already, be sure to enter to win tickets to Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales and the Sweet Seasons Corn Maze tickets!

Photo Courtesy of Little Blue Hen via Flickr.

Filed Under: Seasonal Activities, Things to Do, Things to do Under $5 Tagged With: Fall, Free Activities, Jay

Sweet Season Farm & Giveaway

September 28, 2011 By Jen

What: Sweet Season Farms; Where: 2260 Horn Road; When: Saturdays and Sundays from October 1 to November 6; Cost: $5

Sweet Season Farms is opening up on October 1 for their fall season. They will be open on Saturdays from 9 to 5 and Sundays from 1-5. They will be open October 1 until November 6th. I have been in touch with Sharon from Sweet Seasons and she has said:

**Update: I just got an email from Sharon and she said that the corn has grown to 4.5 feet in most spots! Perfect for kids to get lost in!

And so is the plight of the farmer! Unfortunately, this year our corn is only 2-4 feet tall due to drought.HOWEVER – We will still be OPEN and still have your favorite farm activities at a discounted price! $5.00 for EVERYONE (ages 3 and up) gets you in the farm! Included with admission: maze, corn cannon, cow train, hay ride, playground, hay bale maze, picnic areas, corn picking, games and more! Visit our website at www.sweetseasonfarms.com or Like us on Facebook for more information!

Visiting a farm is the perfect family activity! Even though the corn isn’t tall enough for adults and big kids to get lost in doesn’t mean that you can’t have a fun time at the farm! We think there are lots of reasons to visit Sweet Season Farms!

There aren’t too many other times during the year that you can shoot corn out of a cannon!
The kids will love being whipped around in the cow train.
Let the kids run around and get some fresh air while you rest at a picnic table.
The farm is the perfect place for family pictures with a fall theme.

Read a review of Sweet Seasons Farm from our visit last year!

The Giveaway

Sweet Season Farms generously gave us a family 4-pack of tickets to the Sweet Season Farms Corn Maze for one lucky person! The giveaway includes four tickets for maze admission and three activities per ticket. The giveaway certificate is good for one visit during the 2011 season (Saturday or Sunday only, no extra events).

How to Enter

If you would like a chance to win, leave one comment in this post before 5:59pm CST on Monday, October 3, and tell us about your favorite fall activity. Don’t worry about being creative with your comment, the winner will be chosen by a random number generator. Please make sure that you fill out the required fields by putting your first name (you don’t need to put your last name) in the name field and your email address in the email address field. I do not share email addresses and you will not receive mail from Pensacola with Kids unless you win.

Winners

We will choose ONE winner randomly and announce the results here on Pensacola with Kids after Monday, October 3. Giveaway certificate will be mailed to the winner.

Rules

One comment per person per giveaway post. Duplicate comments and anonymous comments will be discarded. Please make sure that the email address in your comment form is valid so that we can contact you (email addresses are never made public). Winners must claim their prize within three business days after the date of notification of such prize. We will disqualify any entries that we believe are generated by scripts and other automated technology. No substitutions including for cash are permitted, except that Pensacola with Kids reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize. Relatives of Pensacola with Kids are not eligible to win.

Because this is a family site and we get a lot of spam comments, all comments on this site are moderated. If your comment doesn’t show up right away, don’t worry!

**If you haven’t already, be sure to enter to win tickets to Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales.

Filed Under: Things to Do Tagged With: Fall, farms, Milton

5 Reasons to Love Fall in Pensacola

September 8, 2011 By Jen Leave a Comment

We may not have rows of apple orchards or leaves that change to brilliant oranges and yellows but Pensacola does offer a lot of activities to usher in the fall season! This week the temperatures have dropped giving us a taste of the cooler weather that is to come. I have had my windows open all week, Starbucks began carrying the Pumpkin Spiced Latte again, and I saw Halloween decorations at the the store. Fall will be in full swing before we know it! Pensacola is a great place to be in the fall because the beaches are still gorgeous and there are lots of fun fall activities!

Get lost in a sea of corn and a maze of hay bales! Visiting the local corn mazes is a great way to spend a day as a family. Wander the corn maze, shoot corn from the corn cannon, and grab a treat when you are all finished. Several of the area corn mazes are set to open the first week in October. Dixon Primary will be putting on their Haystackular this year as well!

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Ever since I created this website, I have gotten emails from readers looking for a place to pick real pumpkins out of a real pumpkin patch. Last year, Holland Peanut Farm opened a pumpkin patch and invited families all over the area to pick out pumpkins at reasonable prices, go for a hay ride and enjoy a cup of boiled peanuts and they will be opening the pumpkin patch again this year!

Get your fill of shrimp, oysters, conch and more. The 34th Annual Seafood Festival is held on September 23-25th and is one of my favorite family festivals. There is a children’s section, beautiful arts and crafts to peruse, and tasty seafood to try.

Fair time! This week of cooler weather has made me think of the fair. We didn’t go last year because of scheduling conflicts but I would love to take the kids this year.

Time to explore parks. We will be starting our park series back up with the cooler weather. It had been my intention to write about a new park every week in the summer but it was just too hot outside. The cooler weather means camping, more time playing outside and exploring area parks!

As these activities get closer, I will share our reviews, important dates and things to know before you go. What is your favorite fall activity in the Pensacola area?

Filed Under: Seasonal Activities, Things to Do Tagged With: Fall

Corn and Hay Mazes

September 9, 2010 By Jen 7 Comments

Even if it is only a degree or two cooler, we are loving the fact that it is (sort of) showing signs that fall is upon us. One of our favorite things to do in the fall is visit the corn mazes around the area. My son is a maze aficionado. He loves them and can find the way out like a rat following the smell of the cheese at the end of the maze! Here are a few of the corn mazes in our area.

As always, we recommend that you follow the links or call ahead for more information and to confirm dates and times.

Sweet Seasons Corn Maze, Milton, Florida - This was probably the most challenging maze that we visited last year. Sweet Seasons Farm puts on quite a show and you could spend all day visiting. The Grand Opening is September 25th and they will be open each Saturday and Sunday from then until their closing day, October 31. Their attractions include the maze, a corn cannon, the cow train, a hayride and a playground. This year they are adding a mini hay bale maze and you can purchase Scout patches if you finish the maze! Before you go, make sure you print the coupon! Read our 2009 review of the Sweet Seasons Corn maze.

Maizing Family Farm, Elberta, AL - We enjoyed this maze last year because we were lucky to be there at a time when it was not crowded so the kids were able to wander through the maze on their own after we went through it together. Their opening day is October 1 and they will continue through the month until October 31. Their attractions include the maze, a corn cannon, a playground, tractor drawn wagon rides, and animals. This year they will also have a sunflower “sea” as well as an ornamental corn and gourd patch. See our 2009 review of the Maizing Family Farm Corn Maze.

Dixon Primary’s Haystackular, Pace, FL – The PTO of Dixon Primary is putting on the first annual Haystackular Hay Maze. Opening day will be October 1 and the maze will continue through the month. There will be different events, fall activities and food available.

Magnolia Corn Maze, Magnolia Springs, AL - Opening day is September 25th and the maze will continue through October 31. There will be different activities including trick or treating, a haunted maze, and a food drive throughout the month. Other activities include the cow train, corn cannon and games.

Seward Farms, Lucedale, MS – This trip clocks in at about 1-1.5 hours depending on where you live but this corn maze comes recommended by a friend so I wanted to add it to the list. This appears to be the longest running maze in our area as it opens September 11 and stays open through November 6. Activities include the maze, Animal Farm Alley, hayrides, a corn cannon, a U-pick Wildflower Patch, and more.

Did we miss any? If you know of any other fall mazes, please let us know in the comment section.