PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Peak fall foliage is almost here. According to the 2024 Old Farmer’s Almanac, peak foliage in the region will occur in early October. Whatever the date, local pumpkin farms are gearing up to offer their popular fall festivals. Here’s a sampling: 

Soergel Orchards

2573 Brandt School Road, Wexford, PA | soergels.com

Soergel Orchards in the North Hills will begin its festivities this weekend starting on Saturday, Sept. 14, and ending on Sunday, Oct. 27. The festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Each Friday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. starting Sept. 27 through the end of October, it also will host offer tractor hayrides to the pumpkin patch ($4/person). Soergel’s will offer games, rides, pumpkin and apple picking and great food.

Shenot Farm

3754 Wexford Run Road, Wexford, PA | shenotfarm.com

Shenot Farm will host a pumpkin patch, which opens on Saturday, Sept. 28 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 27. It’s open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will also be offering hayrides to the pumpkin patch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. General admission is $5 per person.

Trax Farms

528 Trax Road, Finleyville, PA | traxfarms.com

Trax Farms, which has been in operation for 150 years, will kick off its fall festival on Saturday, Sept. 28, and will run through Oct. 27. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival will feature hayrides, a 3-acre corn maze, farm animals, food trucks, live music, and pumpkins. It’s recommended that visitors get advance tickets ($12) online for the hayride to the maze and pumpkin patch.

Simmons Farm

170 Simmons Road, McMurray, PA | simmonsfarm.com

Simmons Farm’s festival starts on Saturday, Sept. 14, and will run through Nov. 3. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prices vary depending upon activities. They will be offering tube slides, a human hamster wheel and a corn maze that spans 4 acres.

Zombies of the Corn

282 Rochester Road, Freedom, PA | zombiesofthecorn.com

Zombies of the Corn prepares for a big event as they celebrate 40 years as a family-owned business. They will be having their 12th annual fall event Zombies of the Corn. This event opens on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m and will be held every weekend in October. It offers the 3D Funhouse, Zombie Compound, the Z-maze, face painters, and outdoor movies.