LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) , Eckert’s Orchard is gearing up for its peak autumn season, preparing to welcome roughly 40,000 guests across its 8-acre farm throughout September and October.
Farm Manager Megan Fields noted that these fall months consistently bring in the orchard’s biggest crowds of the year.
“Everybody is like, oh it’s time for fall, especially when that weather changes this past week or whatever. It definitely is our busiest season in September and October,” Fields said.
Fields shared that guests travel from near and far to take part in the seasonal festivities, with some visitors even arriving from outside the country.
“That’s one of the fun things about my job, I’ll ask where they come from to see you know, we’ve had folks come from even out of the country, if they’re here visiting Keeneland or something they might pop in,” Fields said.
Whether you want to hunt down the perfect Halloween jack-o’-lantern or simply soak in a crisp day outdoors, the farm offers plenty of fall activities.
The hard work behind the pumpkin patch kicks off months before the first autumn leaves begin to drop.
Crews break ground in late May and finish planting around mid-June, ensuring ripe pumpkins are ready just in time for September visitors.
“We start breaking ground late May to be planted sometime around mid-June so we have pumpkins for you guys usually around September,” Fields said.
Eckert’s also cultivates an impressive variety of pumpkins, branching far beyond the standard carving pumpkin.
“We plant a ton of different varieties you know we just kind of put a bunch of different varieties out in the in the mix as we um plant with the cedar and um that’s what creates this beautiful pumpkin patch that doesn’t just have the you know typical orange jacks in and they’ve got all the fun stuff that you’re seeing on Pinterest and things,” Fields said.
For guests looking for entertainment beyond the patch, the orchard features a sprawling corn maze, a playground, and festive family activities. Spooky haunted hayrides and cozy bonfires also bring the farm to life on Friday and Saturday evenings.
“Just the day makes us special because it’s something different than movies or you know other things and then we offer the bonfires and the haunted hay rides at nighttime on Friday and Saturdays,” Fields said.