For the past few years, we've gone to the pumpkin patch in Waimanalo to get our pumpkins for Halloween. This year, we decided to brave the heat of the Leeward side of the island to check out Aloun Farm's annual Pumpkin Festival.
After we entered the festival, we headed to the free hayride. As expected, there was a long line, so we bought some shave ice while we waited.
Just as we were sipping the last drops of our shave ice, it was our turn to board the hayride.
The tractor pulled us at a slow pace through the farm.
We disembarked and decided to buy a bucket of corn for our family and friends.
Here's how it works - for $20, you get fill a white bucket of 48 ears of corn that you pick off the stalks. The only rule is that you are not allowed to husk the corn.
We double-checked to make sure we picked only 48.
Since we didn't bring our wagon on the hayride, I sat with our corn under the tent while the boys went to self-pick their pumpkins.
They found two really nice ones!
After we rode the hayride back to the festival area, we took a break to get something to eat at the Kau Kau Village, then we walked over to the Keiki Fun Zone. The boys initially wanted to try one of the bouncy houses, but once I pointed out the Excavators, they ditched the bouncy house idea and said they wanted to try the Excavators instead.
Although we didn't get to see and do everything at the festival, we still spent a good 3 hours here. Here are some tips you may want to keep in mind if you're planning to bring your family here:
1) Admission for 2019 is $4 per person (children 2 and under are free). Admission is collected when you enter the parking area, so have your cash handy when you pull up to the farms.
2) Everything here is CASH ONLY. There are two ATMs on site, but it's best if you stop at your financial institution's ATM before you come here to avoid ATM fees.
3) Bring your own water. It's HOT, and you want to stay well hydrated. They sell bottled drinks on site, but at $2 for a small bottle, you're better off bringing your own. I did not see any re-fill stations.
4) Bring a wagon, umbrella, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, hand wipes, and hand sanitizer. If you plan to self-pick pumpkins or corn, bring gardening gloves.
5) Wear clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting dirty or dusty .. because they will get dirty and dusty!
6) 10 am - 1 pm is probably the hottest, and most crowded time of day (the time we went!!!). Try to go either before 10 or after 1. Hours are 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
7) Self-pick corn is paid for at the self-pick site. Pumpkins and sunflowers are paid for at the exit.
8) The self-pick corn is a must. It comes out to about 42 center per ear of corn. The corn is super sweet and crisp!
Until next year!
ALOUN FARMS PUMPKIN FESTIVAL 2019
91-1440 Farrington Hwy
Kapolei, Hawaii 96707
