50 gourd years in Lawrence: Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch celebrates major milestone with a food truck party
Courtesy of Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch
Just east of Lawrence, KS, Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch is celebrating 50 years of good gourds. This weekend, the festivities continue with a food truck party on October 18 and 19.
Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch is a family-owned farm that began as a small 4-H project. 50 years later, the 1,400-acre pumpkin farm is less of a patch and more of an attraction. Customers are invited to visit and pick their own pumpkins, in a variety of types and colors, between late September and late October each year. This year, October 30 is the final day open to the public.
Whether the picked pumpkins are for carving, cooking and baking, or decor, a trip to the pumpkin patch is a tradition for many families. Lawrence resident Amy Hope shares, “We love Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch, and have been taking our daughter there for the last 17 years! It’s an annual event that we share with close family friends, as well. The corn maze is one of our favorite activities! Most of all, we love the great hunt for a perfect pumpkin!”
To celebrate the milestone, Schaake’s is bringing food trucks to the farm this weekend. Kona Ice, Brain Freeze Frozen Daiquiris, JB’s Cali Fusion, and Uplift Coffee will be on site on October 18, and Kona Ice will return on October 19. In addition to the Lawrence and Kansas City-based vendors, Schaake’s has a few treats of its own. New to the concession stand this year are apple cider dirty sodas, available only on the weekends.
The rural pumpkin patch is dog-friendly. There is a playground and farm animals that add to the day-on-the-farm experience. Schaake’s does not offer hayrides, so guests are encouraged to use a provided wheelbarrow or cart to haul pumpkins.
There are no admission or parking fees, and the weekend hours are: Friday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. It is open Monday – Thursday as well, without the food truck attractions. The address is 1791 N 1500 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66046.
