October -- Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm -- Snohomish, WA

Finding Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm
    Over the last couple of weeks we've been looking for the best pumpkin patch around to find this year's Halloween pumpkin. We've looked all over, and found what we believe to be the holy grail, not just for pumpkins, but all harvest time festivities--Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm a place to go rain or shine.
    Bob's Corn is located just beyond Woodinville and only 30 minutes northeast of Seattle. The farm has everything you can imagine a fun country setting having, and more...roasted sweet corn, a giant corn maze, pumpkin patches, hay rides, cow-train rides (where a tractor pulls trackless train cars that are in the shape of cows--not just for kids)...and trust us, this is only the beginning. We met with Bob, the 4th generation owner of the farm, and got the complete tour of this agri-tainment operation. (Agri-tainment: that's agriculture/entertainment mixed together--the word was new to us too.)

Welcome to Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm--here you'll find pumpkins and more pumpkins; take your pick!

 Arriving at the Farm
    When we got to the farm, we checked in at the Country Store, located just up from the kettle corn stand that you'll see when you enter. The first surprise you will encounter is that there is NO admission charge! Prepare to be surrounded by wholesome goodness--it'll be hard to decide what to get first. Should you buy some of those fresh pears and Honeycrisp apples you saw on your way in, the barbecue sauce or peach syrup for sale on the shelves, or if you should purchase the tickets for the corn maze?...

The Country Store, located in an old calving barn that was built in the late 1800s

Take Your Time

    Here's our advice, don't feel like you need to be in any kind of a rush; take in the country atmosphere, check out the cow train and the roasted corn being made, and then go find your pumpkin or have an adventure through the corn maze. Look for the playground on the hill, with the incredible view of Lord Hill and stop off at the concession stand for a roasted peach dessert with ice cream on top (this is by far our new favorite dessert!)

Enjoying roasted corn with the choice of  regular, garlic, or jalapeno butter--yum

Headed to the Pumpkin Patch and Maze

   When you are ready to venture to the 8-acre pumpkin patch or the maze, you'll get to board a hay ride, yes a hay ride (and it's free!). They have huge tractors that pull these hay wagons around, don't worry, there's plenty of space for everyone.

The giant John Deer tractor pulling the covered wagon hay ride

The Maze

    Once aboard you'll be on your way to the maze and pumpkin patch. Bob told us that the corn maze's elaborate design was created with nothing more than a 200ft tape measure and marking posts. While some farms use GPS systems to find their way to create their design, this one was made purely using human imagination and excellent follow through. The maze's shape this year is of a medieval castle. 

    Take note, that something unique about this farm is you can rent fire pits in the maze and have bonfire with a group of 2-80 people. Bring your own s'more equipment or get it from the farm when you get there--you can hang out at the bonfire until midnight. Check out more details here: http://www.bobscorn.com/bobs-corn-bonfires-firepits.htm.

The aerial view of this year's corn maze--a medieval castle! Learn more about the maze: http://www.bobscorn.com/bobs-corn-corn-maze.htm

The Valley

    Also, on the hay ride, you may notice a couple of ponds that are  in the same valley as the crops being grown. We learned from Bob, that during the winter months this whole valley floods with water from the Snohomish River--the water rises as high as 17 feet. When we heard him say this, we responded with, "Oh no!" Bob smiled and said that they welcome the flood because it brings all kinds of new minerals into the ground, enriching the soil, and we personally believe that this probably brings out some of the best corn and pumpkins around. When we asked Bob if he ever takes a boat out onto his winter flood lake, his responded with, "Definitely."

The valley next to the Snohomish River: The hay ride's end point and the beginning of pumpkins galore and the entrance to the maze

The History of the Farm    

    Bob's great-grandparents homesteaded this land in Snohomish, WA in the 1880s. In the 1960s, the 500 acres of land became a dairy farm with over 225 cows that were milked 3 times each day. Bob started selling sweet corn as a kid in the 1980s--as he puts it, "Some kids sell lemonade, well, I sold corn." And he did pretty well. In 2001 the farm made a transition from dairy farm to pumpkin patch and corn maze, and officially got into the agritainment business. Since then Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm's popularity has exploded with more and more visitors every October.

    This is a true family run business. During the other 11 months of the year, Bob and his family are prepping for the upcoming October visitors--they are determined to give you the best possible experience. Not only do they go the extra mile to bring you a great time, they go miles beyond. The farm's motto is, "Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm, where family memories grow." Bob says, "This is your farm--bring your kids." 

    Everything said here is true, we'd only like to add...this is not only a place for kids and families, but a place for couples, friends, seniors--everyone is bound to have a memorable time here.

The October sunshine high above the corn fields

Making It a Tradition

    After finding the perfect pumpkin for us (the funkiest looking pumpkin is our favorite kind) we headed back to the Country Store for some fresh apple cider and found out that the store is open year round. We plan on making this our resource for fresh seasonal fruits and veggies throughout the year and the maze and pumpkin patch an annual tradition every October. 

The view out from the Country Store; crates and crates full of fresh produce

    Head on out to this one-of-a-kind local business any day in the next few weeks before Halloween--they're open every day, with extended hours over the weekends and get ready for fun http://www.bobscorn.com/. 

Things To Know:

• This is place to go rain or shine thanks to the covered eating areas
• Free admission! 
• There's plenty of parking, including handicap parking near the Country Store
• There will be greeters to help you figure out where to go when you arrive
• Feel free to ask the staff any questions you may have, they're extremely helpful
• There's a free playground for the kids with a stellar view of the valley
• You can get roasted apples, pears, and corn at the concession stand...
• There you are: Have a great country adventure

There's so much to enjoy at Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm!

Thanks Bob for creating an incredible farm!
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