Pumpkin patches and BirdFest mark fall arrival

By Greg Johnson

Brisk weather and colorful leaves mark the arrival of fall. It also marks the arrival of a wealth of farms and outdoor venues celebrating the harvest season with pumpkin patches and other fun family activities.

Locally, Bi-Zi Farms celebrates   its farm’s rural heritage with a Pumpkin Patch & Harvest Festival Oct. 1-30. Grandparents can take the kiddies for a bale maze, corn play area, pale pyramid, pedal tractor driving and “hippity-hop” races. There is also freshly pressed apple cider and live music on Saturdays and Sundays.

The admission price of $14 for seniors 62 and older and $16 general admission includes wagon rides to pick up your free pumpkin, admission to the farm corn maze, two shots at the pumpkin launchers and one free hot drink.

Bi-Zi Farms is located at 9504 N.E. 119th St., Vancouver. For information, call 360-574-9119 or visit www.bi-zifarms.com.

Smith Rock Ranch

For a special treat, take the three-hour drive over forest-covered Mount Hood to beautiful Smith Rock Ranch. The ranch is famous for its bountiful pumpkin patch, gigantic corn maze, farm animals and a Snoopy tram that follows the story of Charlie Brown while traveling through corn patches.

Smith Rock Ranch is a real working farm specializing in producing carrots, onions, and bluegrass seed. The farm also grows wheat, hay, pumpkins and squash for markets in Oregon and nationally. The farm opens to the public every October with a variety of activities to celebrate the fall season.

Visitors can select the farm’s bounty from a wide assortment of winter squash, specialty pumpkins, gourds, honey, specialty jams, and other seasonal merchandise available at the Harvest Market.

For ranch admission cost and details, call 541-504-1414 or visit www.smithrockranch.com.

After your farm visit, take some time to enjoy the stunning views at nearby Smith Rock State Park. Visitors come to see mountain climbers scaling the basalt cliffs and to explore the many scenic trails.

BirdFest and Bluegrass

BirdFest and Bluegrass on Saturday, Oct. 4, is another fun fall experience closer to home at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and the city of Ridgefield sponsor the event to raise awareness about the refuge’s role in supporting hundreds of migratory bird species. The 5,300-acre refuge features walking trails and an auto tour route, allowing visitors to observe the wildlife and witness habitat restoration efforts. You may even catch a glimpse of the majestic Osprey, tabbed as the 2025 Bird of the Year for BirdFest and Bluegrass.

This year, the festival will feature bluegrass music, handmade crafts by local artisans, guided hikes and drives around the refuge auto tour. Visitors can also join in a “Birds in Flight” hike at 7 a.m. to learn about the art and science of avian photography from guide Peter Cavanagh. Explore the refuge through nature journaling at 10 a.m. and learn the geological history of the refuge at 2 p.m. from guide Jim Maul.

For information, go to www.ridgefieldfriends.org.

Greg Johnson is a travel writer for The Messenger.