California’s biggest agri-tourism event — the Dell’Osso Farms Pumpkin Maze — is expected to close in on its 3 millionth visitor during its October run.
The 20th annual event featuring a massive corn maze, haunted house, and dozens of other attractions such as the unique bazooka-style pumpkin blasters attracted more than 160,000 people last year.
Ron and Susan Dell’Osso by year’s end are expected to surpass an accumulative 3.5 million visitors overall for all of their signature events that include Holidays on the Farm, Mud Run on the Farm, and Baconfest that take place in Lathrop along Interstate 5 just south of the 120 Bypass.
This will mark the first year that all attractions — save for five — will be collapsed into the price of one general admission ticket.
“We have had people ask us for years to go to one ticket price,” Susan Dell’Osso said. “It means shorter ticket lines and the ability to go (through or on attractions again and again if someone wishes).”
In making the switch, Dell’Osso Farms will also go to demand pricing for the combined ticket for 18 of their 23 attractions.
High traffic times Friday through Sunday will be $17.95 per person while the price drops to $13.95 Monday through Thursday. There is an early bird special Monday through Friday for $10 that’s available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The move eliminates free access to the grounds. To simply access the grounds and stroll around with others is $5.
Excluded from the general admission tickets are gem mining, pumpkin blasters, zip lines, and pony rides that will all cost $6 apiece to access. Pumpkin panting is $5. Tickets will be sold at the specific attractions. There are separate charges for food, drinks, and general store items.
The Pumpkin Maze has grown for its first year with 20,000 visitors to last year where more than 160,000 people dropped by. That’s in addition to 30,000 people that visited during Holidays on the Farm in 2015. Their annual mud run that lures more than 5,000 participants each year.
Dell’Osso Farm will provide 450 jobs during October with 100 of those workers staying on for Holidays on the Farm. In addition 20 regional non-profits provide manpower to raise funds for their organizations. Altogether non-profits have earned over $1 million during the 19 years that the Pumpkin Maze has been in place.
This year’s Pumpkin Maze runs from Oct. 1-31

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com.