FAST FACTS
• WHAT: Dell’Osso Farms Pumpkin Maze
• WHERE: Mathney Road exit off Interstate 5 in Lathrop
• WHEN: Open daily through Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. All visitors entering the parking lot by 8 p.m. will have admittance to the attractions that start shutting down at 10 p.m. on weekends.
• GROUP RATES: There are group rates available for groups of 15 or more. Call Raylene at 209-456-4142.
• MORE INFO: Go to www.pumpkinmaze.com
LATHROP – Dell’Osso Farms is arguably the happiest place in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.
Between 30 acres of corn and an old-fashioned creativity reflected in scarecrows to blasting of mini-pumpkins at 90 mph Ron and Susan Dell’Osso have created the perfect antidote to the malaise sweeping our culture that the only way to have fun is via high-tech or the thrills and spills of spectator sports.
It is evident in the faces of little and big kids alike that imagination, friends, and family brought together in a low-tech environment are a winning combination.
Last year, 120,000 people made their way to Dell’Osso Farms off Interstate 5 just south of the Mossdale Crossing of the San Joaquin River. The closer you get to Halloween, the bigger the crowds.
That’s why South County residents who want to avoid the lines that can get pretty long – especially at the pumpkin blasters, scarecrow rides, the Dell’Osso Express train ride, and even the haunted house - can opt for a weeknight or weekday if they want to avoid the throngs on weekends.
The best part about Dell’Osso Farms is it costs you nothing to simply walk around or even park. There’s pure entertainment in watching young kids simply roaming through the pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkin.
You could hit one or two attractions one day and come back another day for more.
It seems a bit corny – pun intended – but the most fun is probably the 30-acre corn mazes Sure, the pumpkin blasters and zip lines are a blast, but there is something about wandering a round a maze trying to find your way out with friends an family that just can’t be topped.
How else do you explain laughter and smiles from simply walking around in what when all is said and down is simply a bunch of corn stalks? Try to have as much lively entertainment from simply talking and walking as you do in a movie for roughly the same price. There are three corn mazes – silos, pumpkin, and a ghost. The all day-pass ($12.50 for adults, $10 for youth ages 4 to 8 and free for those 3 and under when kids are accompanied by adults) gives you unlimited access to the haunted house and the corn maze. You can also opt for unlimited corn maze access for a day for $9.50 for adults and $7.50 for children 4 to 8 or an unlimited general admission for a day to the haunted house for $6.50.
Exploring the mazes at night by moonlight or flashlight adds an entirely different dimension.
New this year are the zip lines, the Dell’Osso Express, and pillow jumping.
The zip lines are already a big hit with parents camcording their kids and spouses as they sail through the air.
At $6 for a single ride and $10 for two rides it is a lot cheaper than having to pay to go on a cruise to experience the sensation. Locals have another advantage. If you’re into the zip line, it costs just $15 for unlimited use Monday through Thursday. Those 18 and under need a signed waiver from their parents.
The Dell’Osso Express is a quarter-gauge train that covers a mile for the cost of $3 per ride. Given the same attraction but on a much smaller track was $2 at the Old Nut Tree the price is right plus there is something about kids and trains.
The pillow jumping has separate areas for kids and older kids as well as big kids who may be closer to Social Security than getting their first driver’s license. They act kind of like a massive pillow trampoline. One session is $2 while $5 gets you an unlimited pass.
The tractor ride is $1 while the scarecrow ride with 55 creative scarecrows hidden amid corn is $1 as well. Kiddie land has unlimited access for $5 while there is gem mining based on the bag you fill - $5 for a medium one and $8 for a large bag.
The speedway with pedal race cars for all ages, the tire pyramid, and the hay ride are free.
You can also get a four ride combo ticket for all ages at a cost of $5. It includes Dell’Osso Express, the tractor ride, the scarecrow ride, and the tram.
There is also a country store with pies, jams, crafts, and more. Food and drink are available.
And what would a trip be to the Pumpkin Maze without lugging home your own pumpkin? All shapes and sizes can be purchased
Ron and Susan Dell’Osso have literally created a low-tech amusement venue that works and is something you can’t find anywhere else. That just doesn’t refer to all the stuff that is in one place but it is the only place in the world that grows its own ammo or even has a pumpkin blaster target range.
Between 30 acres of corn and an old-fashioned creativity reflected in scarecrows to blasting of mini-pumpkins at 90 mph Ron and Susan Dell’Osso have created the perfect antidote to the malaise sweeping our culture that the only way to have fun is via high-tech or the thrills and spills of spectator sports.
It is evident in the faces of little and big kids alike that imagination, friends, and family brought together in a low-tech environment are a winning combination.
Last year, 120,000 people made their way to Dell’Osso Farms off Interstate 5 just south of the Mossdale Crossing of the San Joaquin River. The closer you get to Halloween, the bigger the crowds.
That’s why South County residents who want to avoid the lines that can get pretty long – especially at the pumpkin blasters, scarecrow rides, the Dell’Osso Express train ride, and even the haunted house - can opt for a weeknight or weekday if they want to avoid the throngs on weekends.
The best part about Dell’Osso Farms is it costs you nothing to simply walk around or even park. There’s pure entertainment in watching young kids simply roaming through the pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkin.
You could hit one or two attractions one day and come back another day for more.
It seems a bit corny – pun intended – but the most fun is probably the 30-acre corn mazes Sure, the pumpkin blasters and zip lines are a blast, but there is something about wandering a round a maze trying to find your way out with friends an family that just can’t be topped.
How else do you explain laughter and smiles from simply walking around in what when all is said and down is simply a bunch of corn stalks? Try to have as much lively entertainment from simply talking and walking as you do in a movie for roughly the same price. There are three corn mazes – silos, pumpkin, and a ghost. The all day-pass ($12.50 for adults, $10 for youth ages 4 to 8 and free for those 3 and under when kids are accompanied by adults) gives you unlimited access to the haunted house and the corn maze. You can also opt for unlimited corn maze access for a day for $9.50 for adults and $7.50 for children 4 to 8 or an unlimited general admission for a day to the haunted house for $6.50.
Exploring the mazes at night by moonlight or flashlight adds an entirely different dimension.
New this year are the zip lines, the Dell’Osso Express, and pillow jumping.
The zip lines are already a big hit with parents camcording their kids and spouses as they sail through the air.
At $6 for a single ride and $10 for two rides it is a lot cheaper than having to pay to go on a cruise to experience the sensation. Locals have another advantage. If you’re into the zip line, it costs just $15 for unlimited use Monday through Thursday. Those 18 and under need a signed waiver from their parents.
The Dell’Osso Express is a quarter-gauge train that covers a mile for the cost of $3 per ride. Given the same attraction but on a much smaller track was $2 at the Old Nut Tree the price is right plus there is something about kids and trains.
The pillow jumping has separate areas for kids and older kids as well as big kids who may be closer to Social Security than getting their first driver’s license. They act kind of like a massive pillow trampoline. One session is $2 while $5 gets you an unlimited pass.
The tractor ride is $1 while the scarecrow ride with 55 creative scarecrows hidden amid corn is $1 as well. Kiddie land has unlimited access for $5 while there is gem mining based on the bag you fill - $5 for a medium one and $8 for a large bag.
The speedway with pedal race cars for all ages, the tire pyramid, and the hay ride are free.
You can also get a four ride combo ticket for all ages at a cost of $5. It includes Dell’Osso Express, the tractor ride, the scarecrow ride, and the tram.
There is also a country store with pies, jams, crafts, and more. Food and drink are available.
And what would a trip be to the Pumpkin Maze without lugging home your own pumpkin? All shapes and sizes can be purchased
Ron and Susan Dell’Osso have literally created a low-tech amusement venue that works and is something you can’t find anywhere else. That just doesn’t refer to all the stuff that is in one place but it is the only place in the world that grows its own ammo or even has a pumpkin blaster target range.
