Farm experiences vary widely. Purists can pick their gourds at a farm that offers little more than hot cider as a side activity, while families looking for a more carnival atmosphere can visit farms tricked out like amusement parks. The Snohomish Valley's fourth annual Festival of Pumpkins is a collaboration between several neighboring farms (Stocker Farms, Craven Farm, The Farm, Bob's Corn -- see below) to offer events on the weekend that include bluegrass music and demonstrations of crafts and old-timey farming skills. The advantage of attending, of course, is that you'll be able to visit more than one farm in a day without driving long distances between locations. The event is a big draw, however, so you might have to contend with crowds. For a calendar of festival events and a farm map, visit www.geocities.com/snohomishfest

Wear sturdy shoes and old clothes and tuck a garbage bag or two in your pockets in case you need to carry your pumpkins out of the field. Bring snacks, water and an all-terrain stroller if you navigate the maze with small children, and leave pets at home. The crowd-averse can avoid the weekend hubbub by visiting one of the many pumpkin patches that are open during the week. Remember to call ahead before going; hours and other details may change.

Snohomish County

• Stocker Farms -- 10622 Airport Way, Snohomish. 360-568-7391, www.stockerfarms.com
  Activities: At the Farm Market, pick a chemical-free pumpkin from the pumpkin patch or choose from sorted pumpkins on the lawn. Weekends, the Pumpkin Festival Field includes pumpkin launching, snacks and hot cider, casting pond, crafts, face painting and other activities. The 10-acre corn maze has a Wild West theme, and becomes the "Field of Screams" on Friday and Saturday nights at dusk (and Halloween night), beginning Oct. 8.
  Particulars: Farm Market open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-dusk, Sunday 10:30 a.m.-dusk. Pumpkin Festival Field open every weekend in October, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5 admission, children 2 and under free. Corn maze open Wednesday-Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday 4-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Cost is $6 per person, 5 and under free. "Field of Screams" admission $2 extra.
• Craven Farm -- 13817 Short School Rd., Snohomish. 360-568-2601, www.cravenfarm.com
  Activities: The small-kid-friendly farm offers a snack bar on the weekends, farm animals to look at, nursery rhyme scenes made out of pumpkins and a number of different varieties of pumpkins to pick. The Children's Story Time tour includes the story of the farm, baby animal encounter and trip to the pumpkin field.
  Particulars: Story Time tour is weekdays by reservations only (360-568-2601). Cost is $4 per child, adults free. Pumpkin patch is open daily during October, 9:30 a.m.-dusk.
• The Farm -- 7301 Rivershore Dr., Snohomish. 425-334-4124, www.thefarm1.com
  Activities: The Farm's famed Washington State Corn Maze is a 12-acre map of the state that shows actual roads, places and towns. Visitors can learn Washington State geography and history as they navigate the maze. Other activities at this very popular farm include wagon rides, a large petting zoo and smaller hay maze in the barn. And, of course, pumpkin-picking.
  Particulars: The corn maze is open daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at $5/person or $20/family. It's also open by reservation only at night on Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends in October. The pumpkin patch and other attractions are also open daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through October. The barn hay maze costs $2.
• Bob's Corn -- 10917 Elliott Rd., Snohomish. 360-668-3043.
  Activities: Pick a pumpkin from the large U-pick field, enter the 10-acre corn maze and buy harvest-themed farm goods such as corn stalks and gourds.
  Particulars: Open weekdays in October from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Biringer Farm -- 4625 40th Pl. N.E., Everett. 425-259-0255, www.biringerfarm.com
  Activities: Everyone's favorite strawberry farm also puts on a good show in October. Traverse a giant salmon corn maze -- with an educational component -- or mosey into Pumpkin Country for rides (Boo Barn, Deadwood Ranch), food and pumpkin-picking. Kids who wear a costume (without mask) will get a treat. During the last three Friday and Saturday nights of the month (Oct. 14-29), the corn maze will be open from 7-11 p.m. for nighttime wandering.
  Particulars: The corn maze is open on weekends through Oct. 30, Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost is $7/person, under 40" tall free on weekends. Nighttime visits cost $10/person. Pumpkin Country is open weekends through Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at a cost of $7/person, under 40" tall free on weekends. Admission to Pumpkin Country includes pumpkins for $2. Weekday tours of the corn maze and Pumpkin Country are available by appointment only.
• Carleton Farm -- 830 Sunnyside Blvd., Everett. 425-334-2297, www.carletonfarm.com
  Activities: Carleton's corn maze is only three acres, which might make it more tempting to families with smaller kids. The corn maze features pictures for young kids to find and clues for older visitors that will help them solve a final puzzle. Choose a pumpkin from a huge selection, visit the chickens and goats, shoot the pumpkin cannon ($1 per shot), take a tractor ride to the field and -- weekends only -- buy snacks such as corn on the cob.
  Particulars: The corn maze is open through October, 9 a.m.-dusk. Admission is $4, kids under 4 free. The pumpkin patch is open daily through Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-dusk. Hayrides are offered weekends during October, 10 a.m.-dusk.
• Foster's Produce and Corn Maze -- 5818 SR 530 N.E., Arlington. 360-435-5095, www.fosterscornmaze.com
  Activities: The fourth-generation, family-owned farm features a "Charlie Brown's Giant Pumpkin" corn maze this year, plus pumpkin patch, pumpkin sling shot, story times on weekends in October (noon-4 p.m.), treats for sale, Old West Town with farm animals and something called a "Goat Walk," and the Kidz Corral, where kids can go through a hay maze and visit farm animals.
  Particulars: The farm is open daily through Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The corn maze costs $4/person, 3 and under free, and the hay maze in the Kidz Corral is $1.
• Fairbanks "Hands On" Pumpkin and Animal Farm -- 15308 52nd Ave. W., Edmonds. 425-743-3694.
  Activities: This farm is rustic, with rough paths and barnyard smells, but the kids can get their fill of baby animals to watch and pet, including chicks, ducklings, piglets and calves. The experience is geared toward smaller kids, with a vegetable garden and Hidden Bear Trail to explore, a Tiny Tots corn maze and lawn strewn with tot-sized pumpkins to take home.
  Particulars: Open to the public weekends in October, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $2.50/person for everyone 11 months and up.

King County

• Remlinger Farms -- 32610 N.E. 32nd St., Carnation. 425-333-4135, www.remlingerfarms.com
  Activities: Remlinger buzzes with activity during the fall: Hop the hayride out to the U-pick pumpkin fields, join a fall harvest tour, watch a pumpkin-carving demonstration, shop in the farm market or go on the 25-plus rides and attractions (many of them for tots) in the Country Fair.
  Particulars: Hayrides to the fields are free and are offered on weekends during October, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. A variety of tour options (toddlers only, special needs, self-guided) are available Oct. 3-31, all by reservation only. Cost is $6-$8. The Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival is held weekends in October, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; admission is $12 (12 months and under free) and includes inflatables, kiddie rides, a rock climbing wall and many other activities.
• Jubilee Farm -- 229 W. Snoqualmie River Road N.E., Carnation. 425-222-4558, www.jubileefarm.org
  Activities: Organic Jubilee Farm (check the farm's Web site for a description of its growing practices) offers free harvest activities on weekends during October. Take a hayride out to the fields, buy lunch in the concessions area, visit the petting farm or kids' hay maze in the barn loft, take a ride in the draft horse-drawn wagon or ride a pony.
  Particulars: All activities except food purchases and pony rides are free. Farm open Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 1-30.
• South 47 Farm -- 15410 N.E. 124th St., Redmond. 425-869-9777, www.south47farm.com
  Activities: The farm has outdone itself this year with "The Art of Farming," a 4.75-acre, slightly less dour take on the pair in "American Gothic." Look for farming and art questions as you move through the maze.
  Particulars: The corn maze is open Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Cost is $5.50/person on weekends, $4.50/person weekdays. On Fridays and Saturdays, the maze is open until 9 p.m. -- don't forget the flashlight!