We recently have made a trip to Bandy's Pumpkin Patch in Johnston City Illinois. What a time! They have everything you'd like to do on a chilly fall day. The Pumpkin Patch is only open October 1st through the 30th, (9 am to 6 pm daily) so you better plan several trips within the month! If your kids aren't in school yet, the best time is during the school day, where you might happen upon a bus of kids but it will be relatively quiet. On the weekends the place is bustling with kids and adults alike, all trying to find that perfect pumpkin and enjoying all the activities. They have a giant corn maze (3 miles!), a smaller hay bale maze for the kids, a play barn with bounce houses and a big slide with bins of corn for the kids to play in, hay rides through the pumpkin fields, a show with pumpkin juggling and carving, a concession stand, and fire pits. You can reserve 2 hour slots for birthday parties, and there's plenty of space for the kids to run and play. they even have face painting. There are more than enough pumpkins, gourds, squash, and Indian corn to choose from, ranging from pumpkins the size of your hand to monster ones my kid was using as a seat. and the pumpkin carving show was alot of fun, younger kids especially liked that one, but adults are involved as well. you can tell that the owners just really like people and have a good time at what they are doing. I definitely suggest stopping in sometime in October and saying hello to the Bandy's and their beautiful farm.
Bandy's Pumpkin Patch
J.T. and Johna Bandy
15020 Pumpkin Patch Road
Johnston City Illinois, 62951
618) 983-8676
www.bandyspumpkinpatch.com
from I-57:
take the Johnston City exit 59 and turn West onto 2 heading away from town. follow it less than a mile, then turn south onto Pumpkin Patch rd. you will see a big pumpkin sign right at the edge of the road with Bandy's name and hours of operation on it. You will see Bandy's almost as soon as you turn onto the road, and there's plenty of parking in lots on both sides.
