Friday, Oct. 17, 2008

Pumpkin Farm Opens for Halloween Fun

By Scott Price

Staff Writer

Hall’s Pumpkin Farm, which has become an annual destination around Halloween, is again offering family-friendly fun and some frightful surprises each day through Oct. 31.

The farm, located on 45 acres at the corner of Hall-Johnson and Pool roads in Grapevine, began hayrides and pumpkin sales in 2001. The next year the family cut a maze into a 2-acre corn field.

"We really cater to families," said Lisa Nelson, a family member who lives on the farm with her husband, James Nelson.

The maze includes twists, turns and dead-ends, and can be experienced alone or with a group. For those who would like more Halloween atmosphere, bring a flashlight and try the maze at night.

The cost for the corn maze is $5 per person. It is recommended that adults stay with young children at all times.

Hayrides are offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings starting at 6 p.m. The price is $2 per person.

Those who wish to maximize this year’s Halloween experience can come to the farm on Oct. 25 for Farm Fright Night. From sundown to 11 p.m., hayrides will be offered for $8 per person to a "haunted hay field." Admission to the farm is free, as are the many photo opportunities and props, including scarecrows, haystacks, cows, donkeys, goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits and vintage farm equipment.

The Hall Farm has roots that extend back to the time when Grapevine was an agricultural community. It began in 1929 when Jess Hall bought the land. He had a double-shovel plow and a mule.

In 1930, Hall built his home on the road that bears his family name, along with the name of his neighbors, the Johnson family.

Tomatoes and cantaloupes were staples on the Hall Farm, but Jess grew a little of everything from corn to watermelons. In the years 1956 to 1970, Jess and his wife, Ruth, also operated a dairy.

The Halls had two children, Jessie Lou Hall Nelson and Marvin Hall.

Currently, Jessie Lou, her two children and their spouses and all their children live on the farm.

"As one of the last working farms in the area, our family hopes to continue the tradition by maintaining the rural atmosphere," the Hall’s Web site states. Hall’s Pumpkin Farm is open to the public 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

See www.hallspumpkinfarm.net for information.