Why Oklahoma Pumpkin Patches Just Hit Different

If you’ve been around Oklahoma long enough, you know the pumpkin patches hit different here. It's probably the warm weather and smell of dirt, but it feels like fall when pumpkin patches spring up close to home.

Big or Small, They All Feel Local

While there are a handful of dedicated and large-scale patches around the state, most are just pumpkins and straw bales strewn across a field. There are usually a few old trucks parked out front and a couple of hand-painted signs announcing it's some sort of fundraiser. I think the one I drive by each day is for a local volleyball team... but don't quote me.

This tradition is not really about buying a pumpkin, it's more about letting the kiddoes wander around looking for what they feel is THE perfect pumpkin. Most of the time, we end up with one that is way too big to carry, and they get a little stabby with the excitement of carving it later.

Spoiler, carving at Casa de El Kelso almost always starts with excitement, but ends in a mess... I guess that's the fun of it.

Beyond Pumpkins: Mazes, Animals, and Small-Town Charm

Some of the more permanent patches offer more than just pumpkins. I'be been to some that have corn mazes, others with animals to pet on. Because they're normally outside of your local metro area, you still get that same small-town Oklahoma feeling.

The pictures are part of it too, of course.

I have legit seen whole families show up dressed in 100% matching outfits for this. I guess it is cheaper than hiring a local photographer, and the fun of it all starts as soon as Mom gets that perfect photo. If you wrinkle a shirt or get dirty before they start snapping pics, you're in trouble... I always pretend not to enjoy it, but giving a little bit of guff and stressing out your other half is always a good time.

If you're looking for a local place to go, here's a quick rundown of Oklahoma's best patches. Go have some fun.