Fall Fun at Tipple’s Country Pumpkin Patch
Pick a pumpkin! Get lost in a corn maze! Take a wagon ride! These are all things you can enjoy when visiting Tipple’s Country Pumpkin Patch on Simmons Road just a few miles north of Cambridge toward Indian Camp. They decided to call it Country Pumpkin Patch since Simmons Road is a scenic, country road.
It all began 22 years ago when Ted and Vonda Tipple decided to grow some pumpkins. In prior years, they had purchased pumpkins just down the road from Ned Thomas before he retired from the business. They built their pumpkin farm from the ground up. That first year, they placed a wagon loaded with pumpkins in their front yard with a can to place money in if someone wanted a pumpkin. It worked!
Now her son, Josh and his wife Nicole, who have been helping for several years, are taking over the reins. Vonda still gives guidance as she has placed much time and passion into its development.
Josh and Nicole have four children who help them with the patch from planting to harvest. They also give them ideas of what children might like. Nicole mentioned, “This is a great experience for them to learn how to run a business, handle cash and make change.”
They decided to expand the pumpkin patch to a place where kids could have fun as well as pick out their favorite pumpkin. Each year they add more activities that children and adults will enjoy. Nicole explains, “I like to watch the kids experience the pumpkins, maze, and games so try to add something new.”
There is no admission charge if you are just stopping by for a pumpkin or some of their other fall decorations. Prices for the pumpkins range from $.50 to $20.00 depending on their size. Mums, Indian corn, corn stocks, straw bales, and gourds are also available. 25 different varieties of pumpkins and gourds can be found here.
If you want to enjoy all the activities, there is a $5 admission charge per person – those under 2 are free. This includes a wagon ride, corn maze, crackers to feed the animals, and all the games they want to play.
They opened just a little later this year as they had to replant the pumpkins four times due to weather conditions. They are lucky to have lots of help dropping the seeds in the ground.
You might want to start your day at Tipple’s Country Pumpkin Patch by taking a covered wagon ride around the entire area to see what is being offered. The tractor is driven by Josh and the wagon is quite comfortable with padded seats.
The corn maze, which is five acres in size, is always a popular event at the pumpkin patch. Most people enjoy getting lost…at least for a while. A box filled with shelled corn provides a great place for children to use their imagination.
Their petting zoo includes goats, chickens, sheep, and horses. Children enjoy feeding crackers to the animals and being able to get up close to pet them since the animals are very tame.
For those under 3, there is a small bounce house they are sure to enjoy. There’s also a nice play area with toys to ride and places to explore.
There are many games scattered throughout the Pumpkin Patch area for everyone to enjoy. There is a Duck Race with water jets, a basketball gravity wagon to practice your shots, a new slide, and a Tire Bridge for kids to climb on and over.
Several area pre-schools have been frequent visitors to the Pumpkin Patch. They come for a wagon ride and go home with a small pumpkin. It’s a chance to show children how the pumpkins are grown and let them see the animals up close for an educational experience.
A special treat on Friday or Saturday nights can be arranged for groups with reservations. Many 4-H and Scout troops enjoy this adventure. This is a Nighttime Walk through the corn maze with flashlights, take a wagon ride, roast a hot dog at the campfire, and build your own smores. All this fun for $5 per person! Make reservations by calling Nicole at 740-819-8163.
The Guernsey County Library will sponsor an event at the Country Pumpkin Patch on October 16th from 5-7 pm. The library staff will be on hand to supervise the event. Up to 150 kids will receive a free small pumpkin, and the library will have painting supplies available for them to paint a face on their pumpkin. While there, they can enjoy the play area.
As you can imagine, this is not a job for just six weeks of the year. All year long plans are being made and items are constructed and painted. Fields must be prepared, planted, and weeded. A Pumpkin Patch requires dedicated work month after month.
Tipple’s Country Pumpkin Patch is open daily the entire month of October from 12-7 just a few miles from Cambridge in the country at 6176 Simmons Rd. For the convenience of the customers, purchases can be made with cash or credit card.
“We want to give everyone a personal experience at a small but friendly Pumpkin Patch.” They love what they do!
Gypsy Road Trip 