Fall is in full swing at Swank Farms and If you are a Halloween lover, looking for a place to take some cute fall family photos or just a fun outing with the kids, it’s a great fall tradition to start with family and friends here in San Benito County. Dick and Bonnie Swank, farm a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year and each fall transform their farm into an autumn gem for public entertainment and I had to see it for myself.
Upon arrival, which was on a Saturday, the parking lot was filled with cars. The area however, is so large and there are numerous activities spread throughout so thankfully, there was no feeling of crowding.
We waited in line to buy our wristbands and quickly realized it is hot! If there is one thing Swank Farms lacks, it’s shade. Dress cool, bring a hat, sunscreen and lots of water, because once you enter the corn maze you may be there a while. Prices are reasonable and for just over twenty bucks, kids get access to most of the popular spots on site, including the giant air –filled jumping pillow.
The farm has two corn mazes a small one for the younger set and a large one which they change every year. This year’s theme is Aliens and Zombies and with entry fee you get a quiz you find the answers to on your way through the maze. You can also time your group and try to beat the fastest time out of the maze.
We started with pedal cars, which are available with an added seat for little ones. Then we headed over to mine for gemstones and fossils where kids get a chart to see which treasures they won. We were lucky and got a flint arrowhead. The backdrop of the airport was a nice surprise letting you enjoy a front row seat to airplanes taking off and landing while you enjoy the day.
The Kiddie Corral is a great area for little ones. Admission includes the kiddie corn maze and a small pumpkin to take home. Watching chickens and feeding the goats seemed to be a hit but sending cobs of corn through the vintage farm tools was definitely the most popular attraction in the Kiddie Corral.
For something with a little more adrenaline, try blasting corn through a corn cannon or get a group and compete against each other at the pumpkin sling shot where people where people seemed to be having a lot of laughs.
If you are brave enough, go after dark where a full production haunt is going on. Many arrive in costume for “Terror in The Corn” and enjoy a really good scare. Swank Farms is located at 2600 San Felipe Road in Hollister and will be open through Halloween night.