Corley Ranch Hosts October Harvest Festival

For those of you with kids, you already know that October is an exciting month. The anticipation of dressing up to score a bag full of candy late at night while pretending to be your favorite villain or superhero is enough to make little ones shake and shimmy with enthusiasm. Lucky for you, though, there’s more than just sugar to peak the interest of little goblins in magical Carson Valley.

The Corley Ranch Harvest Festival, in particular, is a great way to spend any one of your weekends throughout October. 2011 marks the seventh annual celebration every Saturday and Sunday in October from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission ($6 for adults; kids age 3-17 and seniors pay $5 each; kids 2 and under are free!) includes live entertainment, a petting zoo, Kiddie Land, bounce house for kids 5 and under, photo opportunities, a pumpkin patch, pig races, and a two-acre corn maze. Also available—but for additional costs—are vendors, crafts, food and drinks, miniature horse rides, hay rides, mini golf, train rides, pumpkins and fresh produce for purchase, a giant pumpkin slingshot, and more.

This year, the corn maze takes the shape of the state of Nevada, with paths representing major Highways throughout the state and points of interest within the maze at major town and city locations. Test your wits with questions throughout to win prizes once you make your way out of the maze. To take the corn maze a step further, be sure to check out the “Night Crawler Maze Event” on Saturday evenings from 7-9 p.m. when you can enter the maze with your own flashlight.

If you’ve yet to venture South of Gardnerville on Hwy 395, and are wondering what to do with the kids this weekend, The Corley Ranch Harvest Festival is sure to delight. With enough activities to keep them busy the entire afternoon you need not make additional plans. Pick your pumpkins, watch the pigs race to their favorite treat of Oreo cookies, and enjoy the autumn weather. You’ll be placing this event on your October calendar for years to come. Who knows, you may even end up booking a wedding, private party, or special event there. It’s a family affair!

The Corley Ranch is located at 859 Highway 395 South in Gardnerville. Additional info can be found at corleyranch.com or by calling 775-721-1047.