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PLAYING WITH YOUR FOOD
At Dell’Osso Farm you can shoot it, roll in it
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Kids make “snow angels” in the corn crib filled with corn kernels at Dell’Osso Family Farm. - photo by DENNIS WYATT

You might not get your kid to eat all of their corn but you’re going to have a tough time getting them away from playing in corn at Dell’Osso Family Farm.

We’re not talking about the massive corn maze but rather a new attraction — the Corn Crib.

On Friday more than a dozen youth were giggling, squealing, and laughing as they jumped about in the Corn Crib that is a large boxed area with dried corn kernels 18 inches deep.

The corn kernels typically used as chicken feed is akin to jumping on a water bed making movements as you walk on the wobbly side.

“Kids get their shoes and clothes full of corn kernels,” said Susan Dell’Osso who along with her husband Ron started the Pumpkin Maze and affiliated attractions at their Lathrop farm along Interstate 5 south of the San Joaquin River 22 years ago.

Just a dozen or so yards away kids were tumbling, walking, and running in the new “Rat Roller” attraction that is basically sections of corrugated plastic storm drain pipe that moves along a stationery rail.

They are part of the expanded kids’ play area where youth can climb aboard giant wooden play structures such as a truck and a tractor. There is also a new giant wooden porch style wing this year than can seat up to 12 people and is a big hit with those looking to snap smartphone photos to send to friends and relatives.

Also enjoying big success this year are several new attractions such as craft beer, sparking apple cider, hard apple cider and fresh baked pizzas on an “island” created in the grassy area outside the corn maze. They are selling at least 100 pizzas an hour.

The hunger pizza pages compared to the demand for products from the country store that was remodeled this year as a country bakery. The biggest hit by far are fresh apple spice doughnuts made on site.

“They’re fresher than Crispy Crème,” Dell’Osso said.

Dell’Osso couldn’t sell a non-fresh doughnut if they wanted to.

On Saturday, a line for the doughnuts snaked outside of the building requiring the husband and wife team to join the bakery staff to keep the doughnut production going. That day they sold more than 200 dozen doughnuts with many being one dozen boxes that guests bought to take home with them after initially buying one doughnut. 

Cookies and pies are also baked on site while kettle corn is whipped up fresh near the entrance to the bakery providing the first delectable smell you encounter. The only thing not made on site is the fudge.

The craft items that were available in the country store have been replaced by vendors that have separate booths nearby.

Kids can climb tire mountains, make their way through the largest corn maze in the 209, get their share of scary fun in the haunted castel, ride a train, walk the plank for a big drop, frolic in the kids’ play zone, enjoy duck races, watch pig races, race pedal cars, spin on pumpkins, take a hay ride, bounce on pillows and do a wide array of activities included in the general admission.  

There are several attractions not included in the general admission. They are zip lines ($8 to $12), gem mining ($6), pony rides ($7), pumpkin painting ($5), and pumpkin blasters ($6).

There is also a food court as well as seasonal gift items for sale.

The Pumpkin Maze is open daily through Wednesday, Oct. 31. First entry is at 10 a.m. with the last entry at 8 p.m.