Dewberry Farm: A family day trip destination now through December 28

Rae Drady
Yesterday, 14:31

One of the best things about living in Austin County is its close proximity to so many amazing day-trip locations. Galveston and Matagorda are, of course, among the top choices for locals to visit during the summer, but a truly ideal family day-trip destination starting in the fall until just after Chrstmas is Dewberry Farm, located in Brookshire, less than an hour’s drive from Bellville, Sealy, or Wallis.

For anyone looking for the “picture-perfect” pumpkin patch photos of the family, kids or grandkids – This is IT! Fall photo spaces, such as their famous life-sized pumpkin house, are thoughtfully installed throughout the grounds for unlimited seasonal selfie backgrounds and social media moments.

Not only do they have a Texas-sized pumpkin patch, rated as one of the best in the greater Houston area and beyond, but they also feature an eight-acre aMAZEing corn field maze.

Visitors may also purchase pumpkins to take home or to paint and transform into a colorful work of art in the farm’s kids' craft area.

The farm boasts so many activities it’s mind-boggling! There is literally something for everyone. Most of the facility’s over 40 rides and attractions are included in the price of admission, including:

A barnyard animal petting zoo, with a host of furry members like alpacas and bunny rabbits to love on, goats and donkeys to feed, and a mini Hereford bull, named Sir Loin, to meet. Ponies, pigs, chickens, turkeys, peacocks, tortoises, and geese are all part of the petting zoo.
A ferris wheel invokes the nostalgia of a traditional fair.
The “DewVille Express” train helps park attendees travel in style.
The Gold Rush Coaster will please the thrill-seeking roller-coaster enthusiasts.
A classic carousel featuring artfully crafted and beautifully painted horses is ideal for more photos.
Apple Blaster Cannons, which are pretty much exactly what they sound like, for those who’ve always wanted to launch an apple out of a cannon.
The Jumpin' Jacks Ride gives future rodeo hopefuls a practice simulation.
A Box Car Train, comprised of box car seats on wheels, is pulled by a full-sized tractor.
A ride named Reckless! swings outward in various directions.
Twisting Pumpkins riders sit in bucket-like seats while being spun around.
The Cornado is another spinning swing-type ride.
Giant Slide Mountain is a much bigger version of an old-school metal playground slide.
Hay Mountain offers hand-held rope swings with a cushioned landing.
Jumping Pillows resembles a moon-bounce, but without exterior walls.
Phantom's Revenge is a giant swinging pirate ship with a pendulum-like movement.
The Berry -Go-Round! holds riders in giant strawberry-shaped enclosures that twist, while rotating around a central point, for optimal dizziness-inducing pleasure.
Pedal Car Races are ideal for competitive tykes with strong legs
Farm Flinger is reminiscent of an old-school tire swing, but riders sit on a large ball suspended from the swinging mechanism.
Fort DewHickey is a giant wooden playscape for climbing, running over suspension bridges, and general playground horseplay.
The Sports Ball Zone contains skee ball, cornhole, and other tests of skill.
Little FarmersVille offers rides on tiny tractors and farm equipment to entice the next generation of agricultural professionals.
Cyclone Swings suspends single riders in a swing at the end of long chains that are lifted by centrifugal force.
Birdhouse Village comprises large playhouse structures to explore.
Plus many more such as the Spider Web, a Candy Balster Cannon, The Black Hole, the Giant Roller Slide, The Whizzer, Sound Garden, The Black Mamba, GOATEL 6, and more.

Nearly everything is included in the ticket price except for a few things like the Paintball Shooting Gallery, Gemstone Mining, face painting, and a few seasonal offerings. Even parking is free. Not all the rides are designed for both adults and small children, but among the variety offered, there are plenty to satisfy thrill seekers of all ages and sizes.

Guests will definitely want to spend a few extra dollars on traditional festival-type food options, such as funnel cakes covered in whipped cream and Peeps, Mac'n Cheese topped with brisket, tacos, fried Oreos, BBQ, burgers, or mouth-watering turkey legs.

Warren Lyng, the VP of Marketing and Creative for Peerless Production Group (PPG) - which operates Dewberry Farm and its sister property, Yesterland Farm, in Canton, Texas- shared, “Fall is my favorite season. The Fall Festival runs from Sept. 13 to Nov. 9, including the pumpkin patch, fall family photo ops (including the life-sized pumpkin house), and our Jumpin’ Jacks — which are like a mechanical bull except you ride on a spinning jack-o’-lantern.”

“The Gold Rush roller coaster and the DewVille Express train are two of the most popular,” he added, “but for fall, our eight-acre corn maze is definitely the number one [attraction.] Each fall, our corn maze has a different theme,” Lyng said. “This season will be a tribute to country artist Lainey Wilson, bringing her image to life in the acres of corn that we begin planting in July.”

“It’s fun to navigate during the day, but at night it turns spooky for our evening hours family Halloween event, BOOriffic Nights,” Lyng also said of the maze. It features giant lit characters, three haunted house-type scary venues, and hundreds of glowing jack-o-lanterns after the sun sets on the property every Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27 through Nov. 2. The majority of attractions for these special themed nights are also included in the fall festival admission.

CHRISTMAS THEMED WONDERLAND

Then, just when it seems this place couldn’t possibly create any more phenomenal family fun, the whole complex transforms into a Christmas-themed wonderland from Nov. 21 until Dec 28.

Lyng revealed, “This November and December, as part of our event ‘A BERRY Merry Christmas’ at Dewberry Farm, we are launching an all-new attraction, which is a train ride through two miles of programmed RGB lights dancing to everyone’s favorite holiday tunes. This, in addition to our Holiday Light Hay Ride and walk-through Merry And Bright light attractions, means we will have one of the country’s largest Christmas light experiences.”

“Additionally, our farm family of animals has gained a few new members,” he exclaimed with excitement. “We now have a llama called Tina and a micro-miniature Hereford heifer who is only 36” tall.” The staff was still working on choosing a name for her just before the start of the new season.

Visit their website and subscribe to receive coupons, advanced notice of events, promotions and ticket specials. Season passes and group booking discounts are also available.