We Tried It: Waimānalo Country Farms’ Fall Harvest Festival

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

What: Waimānalo Country Farms’ Fall Harvest Festival

Who: A mom and her two sons, 4 year-old Indie, and 1.5 year-old Soley

Where: Waimānalo Country Farms

When: A Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

We visited Waimānalo Country Farms’ pumpkin patch when our first kid was just three months old, so I was excited to take him to this family-run farm at the base of the Koʻolau Mountains again—at a time I knew he’d appreciate it more (and with his brother!). On a whim, we decided to go the first Sunday it was open. We quickly got dressed, packed some snacks and were out the door. We did so unusually fast and without any coaxing—the kids were that excited.

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

Once we arrived at the farm at 9:30 a.m., multiple people directed us to the parking spot (there was plenty of parking at that point, but I’ve heard it can fill up.) We slathered on some sunscreen, went over some ground rules—no wandering off without letting me know—and we were off.

SEE ALSO: Pumpkin Patches and Fall Festivals on O‘ahu

The kids stopped and poked their head through the corn cob sign so it was the perfect time to go over the farm’s rules too. We headed inside and immediately took a picture at the entrance (so many photo opps!) before getting to the payment stand.

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

The kids made a beeline for the little pumpkins and swing they have set up for another photo opportunity, then quickly noticed the tractor giving kids a ride around property, so that was the next order of business! They both hopped into a cart that is decorated like a cow and they were off (with the biggest smiles on their faces the entire ride).

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

Afterwards (well, after Indie pleaded to ride the tractor again and again), we went to see the animals. The farm has mini pigs, goats, alpaca, llamas, donkeys, mini cows, turkeys and chickens galore. We spent at least 30 minutes wandering around this area. The boys were obsessed with feeding the animals, and giggling the whole time.

SEE ALSO: 6 Places Where You Can Meet Baby Animals on O‘ahu

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

I noticed the line for the hayride was getting longer, so decided to head that way. Once we got on, we learned about the history of this 52-acre family-run farm.  This year, the family is celebrating 75 years on the farm! Apparently, in 1950s watermelon was the big crop and then they focused on sweet corn, which they’ve been growing for 40 years now. Sunflowers were planted at one of the daughters’ request—she wanted them for her wedding, which was eight years ago—and they’ve been growing them ever since. Soon, the family has plans to run all of the tractors on sunflower oil.

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

The pumpkin patch has been around for 14 years and the Fall Harvest Festival keeps getting bigger and better. There’s a kids patch equipped with mini rideable tractors, adorable animal cutouts for photo opportunities and pots and pans are hung up for little ones to jam out. The main patch has even more photo opportunities—cutouts, haystacks with scarecrows and more. Your camera or phone is going to get a lot of action!

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

Two hours in and we were officially getting tired, a little sweaty and pretty hungry (not to mention, up against nap time), so we headed towards the market and cafe. I ordered two Nalo Lemonades for us to share, one regular and one strawberry, and a piece of cornbread to hold us over. Having a snack while sitting at the tables under the umbrella was a great way to wind down from all the fun.

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

Tips

1. Bring sun protection and cash. There is very little (if any!) shade at the farm, so don’t forget your sunscreen, hat and/or sunglasses. The earlier morning visit is likely the coolest time to go. You should bring cash if you can, since there’s a surcharge for credit card payments and the keiki tractor ride and feed for the animals cost extra and you can only pay in cash.
2. Feed the animals. For $5, keiki can get a bucket of feed for all the animals. The animals are thrilled and so are the keiki.
3. Pay for the tractor ride. Be prepared for younger kids to want to take the kids-only tractor ride. It’s well worth the $5 (per kid) to see the joy and excitement in their eyes!
4. Expect to wait in line for the hayride. The hayrides happen every 20 minutes or so (and begin about 10 a.m.). The farm wasn’t super busy when we were there, but we still had to wait in the line for about 15 minutes to ensure we got a spot.
5. Eat before or after (or better yet, order food on the farm!). No outside food is allowed once you enter the farm.
6. Book a private picnic. Waimānalo Country Farms offers private picnics in the pumpkin patch and/or the sunflower fields—and there’s even a keiki picnic package! The Keiki Package, produced by Ever After Moments, is for up to 5 guests ($35 per additional guest) to enjoy five hour on the farm. It includes the full setup, breakdown and cleanup service, hot dogs, chips and lemonade or sweet tea. Full details and a list of other packages can be found here.

SEE ALSO: We Tried It: Summer Sunflower Event at Waimānalo Country Farms

Photo: Jasmine Chagnon

The 2023 Fall Harvest Festival event is open Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (first car in 1 p.m. on weekdays and at 9 a.m. on weekends and last car in at 4 p.m. every day, the fields close at 4:30 p.m. and the market stands close at 4:45 p.m.) Sept. 30 through Nov. 12, pending bloom. Pumpkins will be available while supplies last. Reservations are only required for photography sessions, private picnics or special events. General admission is $12.84 per person, including tax and processing fees, or $12 cash at the door. Kama‘āina and military admission is $10.84 per person, including tax and processing fees, or $10 cash at the door. Keiki 2 years old and under are free. 41-225 Lupe St., Waimānalo, (808) 306-4381, waimanalocountryfarms.com, @waimanalocountryfarms