By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



The Great Pumpkin Patch in Hayden celebrates their 13th year of operation this year.

And while the number 13 might seem like an unlucky anniversary, the agri-tourism hot spot was teeming with adults and students on Wednesday.

The Pumpkin Patch was started by owners Dwight and Bonnie Jones.

However, the couple recently retired and moved to Clanton, leaving the business in the hands of new management this year.

The Blount County attraction is now operated by Julie and Pauline Swann. However, Julie Swann said the Jones’ son, Danny Jones, has been helpful in the transition.

“We’ve got a really good staff and Danny has given me a lot of advice on everything,” Swann said.

The farm plays host to thousands of visitors annually, including school children. Swann said Hayden students had visited the farm this year, and on Wednesday, children as far away as Ohatchee paid a visit to the farm.

The farm includes plenty of activities for visitors, including an inflatables park, petting zoo, pony rides, covered picnic tables, gift shop, a hay ride, train rides, a hay maze and a variety of food.

A $6 hay ride takes visitors out to the pumpkin patch where they can select their own fall pumpkin.

Pumpkins range in prices from $10 for a large pumpkin, $8 for a medium size pumpkin to $1 for a small pumpkin.

Despite floods in the northern United States and a severe drought in the midwest and southeast, Swann said the Pumpkin Patch was well equipped to handle the demand.

The farm grew about 18 acres of pumpkins and the farm was also being helped out by some farmer friends. “We buy from different places,” she said. “Some from people that I’ve known in the past.”

One of the big attractions of the pumpkin patch in years past has been pies made by Bonnie Jones in a trailer on the property.

However, Jones’ retirement led to Swann hiring Terri Skeen to help continue the tradition of homemade goodies.

Skeen, a retired Blount County teacher, said her specialties included blueberry cheesecake, homemade sweet potato and pumpkin pies and sweet potato casserole.

“It’s been amazing to watch the families come out and do something clean and entertaining,” Skeen said.

The Original Great Pumpkin Patch will be open to the public through Oct. 31. The hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, call 647-2183.