By Kevin Wierzbicki

https://www.axs.com/corn-mazes...

That’s the biggest pumpkin I’ve ever seen” is a common phrase during Halloween time in Minneapolis and St. Paul. If you head to any one of the area’s pumpkin patches you just might find a giant orange gourd that you’ll just have to take home. For sure you’ll find lots of good wholesome family fun at the pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the Twin Cities and vicinity. Here are some of our favorites.

Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze

Sat. Oct. 27 and Sun. Oct. 28 @ 10 a.m.

8001 109th Ave. N. – Brooklyn Park

Have fun navigating Minnesota’s largest corn maze! If you could see the maze from the air you’d note that the design incorporates a giant Minnesota Timberwolves logo that celebrates the NBA team’s 30th anniversary. There’s also a straw bale maze for the youngsters along with a corn pit, petting zoo, hayride, live music and an “Amazing Animal Show” that are performed twice a day. Pumpkins are 3 for $12 in the pumpkin patch.

Veteran’s Memorial Park Pumpkin Patch

Sat. Oct. 27 and Sun Oct. 28 @ 10 a.m.

6335 Portland Ave. S. – Richfield

There are two ticketing options for the fun here; the first includes entrance to the pumpkin patch along with one pie pumpkin, one hayride and unlimited use of bounce houses and inflatables. The other option includes all of the above plus a nine-hole round of mini golf. Surrey rides, additional rounds of golf, additional pumpkins and snacks can be had for an additional fee. Infants and toddlers up to two-years-old are admitted free with a paid adult admission.

Related --- Halloween 2018 events for kids in Minneapolis and St. Paul

Afton Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Patch

Daily through Oct. 31 @ 10 a.m.

14421 S. 90th St. – Hastings

The giant maze here is divided into three segments; the first is for beginners and the “directionally challenged,” with the path getting more difficult in the second and third segments. Altogether the maze comprises more than six miles worth of confusing fun. There’s also a “no left turn” straw bale maze, a rubber hose maze and a rope maze. Over at the pumpkin patch, you can pick your own and yes, there are some huge ones! Hayrides and hot apple cider add to the fun.

The Great Pumpkin Fest

Sat. Oct 27 and Sun. Oct. 28 @ 11 a.m.

Valleyfair – One Valleyfair Dr. – Shakopee

Kids will love navigating the corn stalks and hay bales of Peppermint Patty’s Hay Bale Maze, an adventure that features a tribute to characters from the PEANUTS comics and cartoon franchise. Other PEANUTS-themed fun for the kids include Sally’s Craft Corner, Pig Pen’s People Washer, Sally’s Spooky Sing-A-Long and the Van Pelt Derby where kids can race through a hay bale maze on miniature pedal tractors. There’ll also be a trick-or-treat street.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

Daily through Oct. 31 @ 7 p.m.

Minnesota Zoo – 13000 Zoo Blvd. – Apple Valley

Here’s a different kind of “pumpkin patch” that’ll thrill the kids and all kids at heart. Make your way through an enchanted forest that’s located in the heart of the zoo and decorated with a whopping 5000 illuminated pumpkins! Kids will also come across musical vignettes as they stroll along and fog machines will add an eerie edge to portions of the path. Zoo animals will not be out during Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular hours.

For information on other fun things to do in the Minneapolis area go here.