LIFE

It's time to pick out the perfect pumpkin and here's where you can find them in Shreveport

Meredith G. White
Shreveport Times

The weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter which means it's the perfect time to pick out pumpkins to decorate your porches! Check out these places in and around Shreveport where you can pick out your perfect pumpkin and participate in other fun Fall activities like hay rides, movies under the stars, obstacle courses, mazes and more.

Dixie Maze Farms

This is more than just your average pumpkin patch! The Dixie Maze Fall Festival is officially open for the season and while you may come to score some pumpkins, you'll want to go early to enjoy all of the different attractions like the corn maze, duck races, pony rides and more.

  • The Pumpkin Express - Take a scenic ride around the farm before hopping off to choose the perfect pumpkin straight from the vine. All admission packages include the Pumpkin Express and it runs continuously Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
  • Pumpkin Patch - The patch is open Wednesday - Thursday from 2 p.m. until dark and Friday - Sunday 10 a.m. until dark. Visitors can pick one pumpkin from the pumpkin patch for a discounted $6 until they are gone.
  • Outdoor Movies - Every Saturday night at 8 p.m. pull up a hay bale and grab a bag of popcorn to watch a movie under the stars.
  • The Jumpy Thing - The huge and permanently installed inflated pillow is fun for the whole family to see who can jump the highest. All admission packages include the jumpy thing.
  • Corn Cannons - For over 15 years the corn cannons have been allowing visitors to blast tennis balls at targets form the lookout spot. All admission packages include the corn cannons.
  • Duck Races - Head over to watch the little ducks race through the track splashing water as they go. All admission packages include the duck races.
  • Pig Races - Every weekend in October the pig races are going on and you won't what to miss out on this fun event. The race times vary during the weekdays, so check out the information booth to find out when they'll run daily. This activity is included with all admission tickets during the day only.
  • Pony Rides - Beautiful rescue horse Dax and his pony friend Little Squirt are ready for you to come take a ride and maybe get a pet or two. This activity is included with all admission packages.
  • The Barn Swing - Strap into the special harness and jump off the platform into the air and hang on tight as you swing back and forth. The swing has a 170 lb. limit and is included with all admission packages.
  • Spooky Stories & S'mores - Gather around the campfire and listen while the storyteller entertains you with a spooky, but child-appropriate, story. Roast s'mores for $1 each to snack on while you listen. This event is included with all admission packages and happens every Saturday night at 6:30 p.m.
  • Friendly Fire - If you're looking for a fun and friendly war, suiting up to shoot foam balls from paintball guns in an arena will entertain the whole family. This event is included in the Farm Adventure Pass and Fright Night ticket packages.
  • Farm Tour - And don't forget to take a trip around the whole farm to learn about the story of the farm and fun facts.

Ticket Information:

  • Farm Adventure Pass $14.71
    • Includes all farm activities except the Haunted Attractions and Murder Mystery Dinners. Ages 2 and under are free with a paying adult.
  • Fright Nights Pass $28.41
    • Includes all Adventure Pass activities plus all of the Haunted Attractions through Halloween. Does not include the Murder Mystery Dinners.

Fall Festival Hours:

  • Monday Closed
  • Tuesday Closed
  • Wednesday 2 - 8 p.m.
  • Thursday 2 - 8 p.m.
  • Friday 10 a.m. - Midnight
  • Saturday 10 a.m. - Midnight
  • Sunday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Halloween Night 4 p.m. - Midnight
  • Fall Break Sunday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Fall Break Friday - Saturday 10 a.m. - Midnight

Visit the Dixie Maze Farms website for more information including purchasing tickets.

Dixie Maze Farms is located at 9596 Sentell Rd. in Shreveport, Louisiana.

PaPa Simpson's Farm

Located on land that has deep roots of family farming history dating back to the late 1800s, Papa Simpson's have now had six generations taking care of the land the farm sits on. Come by to pick out a pumpkin and enjoy other fun Fall activities while you're there.

  • Pumpkin Patch
  • Hayrides
  • Cow Train
  • Horse Rides
  • Baby Animals
  • Corn Digs
  • Hay Playground

Hours / Ticket Information:

  • Saturdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Sundays 2 - 6 p.m.

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the farm.

PaPa Simpson's Farm is located at 961 Rich Rd. in Arcadia, Louisiana.

Looking to get scared?Check out these haunted houses in and around Shreveport.

St. Luke's

Since 1990, St. Luke's has provided the community with a pumpkin patch for all ages to come out and have fun while choosing their own pumpkins to take home. There will also be cookbooks, t-shirts, water, cookies and small items for purchase in the "Bootique" in addition to cooking demonstrations, a blood drive and concerts put on by the schools.

Over the years, St. Luke's has donated over a quarter of a million dollars to local missions and charities in the community including Cavanaugh Adolescent Center, Gingerbread House, Oakwood Home for Women, Youth Challenge and more.

Hours:

Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Sunday - Noon - 7 p.m.

St. Luke's is located at 6012 Youree Dr. in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Provenance Pumpkin Patch

The Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier has plenty of pumpkins for you to pick from to make Jack-O-Lanterns or stack on your front porch.

In addition to the pumpkins, throughout the month there will be other activities kids can enjoy:

  • Saturday, October 8 - Story Time with Walter B. Jacobs 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Face Painting by the Magnet Key Club 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 15 - Happy Belly's Italian Ice Factory 2 - 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 16 - Hot Dog Hut food truck from 2 - 4 p.m. and a Pet Costume Contest
  • Saturday, October 22 - Dripp Donuts food truck, pumpkin carving and cooking decorating with the Learning Center at Broadmoor at 10:30 a.m.
  • Sunday, October 23 - Pumpkin craft with Sci-Port Discovery Center from 2 - 4 p.m.

Hours:

  • Sunday Noon - 7 p.m.
  • Monday 4 - 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday Closed
  • Wednesday 4 - 7 p.m.
  • Thursday 4 - 7 p.m.
  • Friday 4 - 8 p.m.
  • Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

The Provence Pumpkin Patch is located at 1968 Bridgewater Ave. in Shreveport.

Meredith G. White is the arts and culture reporter for the Shreveport Times. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at mgwhite@gannett.com.