A recent look by Chef’s Plate at pumpkin patches across Canada turned up three gems across Alberta. The list looked at a number of factors including online popularity, cost and how accepting they are of dogs to come up with the top 20 pumpkin patches in the nation.
Central Alberta
Kraay Family Farm, west of Lacombe and a 20-minute drive north of Red Deer, came in 17th on the list. The farm had a trivia-infused corn maze that always has a design that can be seen from the sky. This year the theme was Ribbon of Hope for childhood cancer. Bunnies, goats, chickens, ducks and pigs are on the site for pets and cuddles. Sunflower days are held in August, pumpkin days in September and a movie night in October.
The farm is closed for the season and will be open for the 2024 season July 19 to Oct. 19.
Northern Alberta
Voted number two across Canada, the Edmonton Corn Maze, located southwest of Edmonton, is a half-hour drive from St. Albert. On top of selling pumpkins, there is a corn maze, wagon rides, a potato gun, jumping pillows and farm animals on site. It was also voted third for the most dog-friendly pumpkin patch for it’s policy of allowing leashed pets, including in the corn maze.
The Edmonton Corn Maze is open for the season until Oct. 22.
Southern Alberta
Eighth on the list is the Calgary Farmyard, formerly known as the Calgary Corn Maze. The farmyard is in Rocky View County and is a 25-minute drive northeast of Okotoks. From now until closing day on Oct. 29 the Calgary Farmyard is open until 9:30 p.m. for a spooky flashlight corn maze experience and lit up farmyard. Playgrounds, a tube slide, rope course farm animals and games provide fun times for families during the day.
