There is a pumpkin patch that you can only get to by train, where pumpkins for the picking abound. Activities at the historic Grand Canyon Railway Depot in Williams, Ariz., include a haunted railway car, a hay bale maze, and pumpkin arts and crafts in the Harvest Room.

Reserved tickets are now on sale for this very popular autumn activity aboard the Grand Canyon Railway’s annual Pumpkin Patch Train, which runs every Saturday and Sunday in October.

Trains depart Williams for the 90­‐minute holiday experience at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Prices are $15 for kids ages 2 to 15 and $20 for adults 16 and older. Tickets include one pumpkin per child, along with the activities listed above (hay bale maze, haunted train car, pumpkin decorating and crafts). Upon arrival at the secret patch, kids will have 30 to 45 minutes to pick the perfect pumpkin.

Of course, there also will be pumpkin pie, hot apple cider and hot chocolate at the Depot for an additional cost. Children and adults are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween finest for the ride. Train passenger service attendants and conductors are always dressed up, as well. Pumpkin Patch Train reservations can be made by visiting www.thetrain.com/pumpkin or by calling 1‐800-­THE-­TRAIN (1-800‐843­‐8724). Tickets are also available for purchase at the Depot. For more information about the Grand Canyon Railway or to purchase other tickets or packages, visit www.thetrain.com or call 1-­800‐THE‐TRAIN.

Grand Canyon Railway is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.

Also taking place in October, the town of Williams will celebrate the Third Annual Alpine Harvest Festival, boasting a pumpkin carving contest, scarecrow judging, barnyard petting zoo, a “Howly, Growly, Owly” guided tour through Bearizona and more. The festival takes place on weekends throughout the town of Williams.

For more information on the Third Annual Alpine Harvest Festival visit www.alpineharvestfestival.com.

pumpkin patch