By STEPHEN DAWKINS / Staff Writer

HARPERSVILLE – A sure indicator of the arrival of the fall season is pumpkin harvest hours beginning at Old Baker Farm in Harpersville.

Harvest hours began Sept. 24 and will last through Oct. 31 at the farm, which will also host several events and attractions to entertain pumpkin patch visitors.

Pam Baker with Old Baker Farm said the farm grows 15 varieties of pumpkins and hosts school groups as well as the general public.

Pumpkins grow better in cooler climates than that of central Alabama, so the farm takes several steps to ensure a productive crop and pleasant experience for visitors.

Baker said this year, in particular, has been difficult for the crop.

“There has not been enough rain this summer,” Baker said. “All you can really do is water, water, water.”

The 200-acre farm utilizes a drip irrigation system, which can cover three to four acres in one night by using a giant boom.

The farm’s crop is also supplemented by bringing in pumpkins from north Alabama to ensure even the earliest visitors have many pumpkins to choose from.

Harvest hours for the public are from 3 p.m. to dark on weekdays, from 9 a.m. to dark on Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to dark on Sundays. The entrance gate closes at 5 p.m. each day.

The cost is $10 per person, with children under 2 gaining free admission. Cash and checks are accepted.

The admission fee includes a pumpkin and all events except food, arts and crafts and horseback rides.

Harpersville United Methodist Church’s youth group helps weekend attendees by keeping up with pumpkins and providing transportation around the farm.

In return, the youth group is allowed to promote its mission projects on site, Baker said. Last year, $17,000 in donations was collected at the farm from visitors.

In addition to pumpkins, visitors can pick cotton, play on a “hay mountain,” find their way through a hay maze and see a variety of animals, including pigs, turkeys, donkeys, goats, horses, geese, ducks and chickens.

Old Baker Farm is located at 184 Furrow Lane in Harpersville. For more information, visit OldBakerFarm.com.