Gateway

Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: Entertainment

The Harvest Barn is one of the many attractions at Vala's. (Erik Peterson/The Gateway) [Click to enlarge]

Vala's stretches over 152 acres with pumpkins seeds planted each June for harvest in late September. (Erik Peterson/The Gateway) [Click to enlarge]

It might be too early to start wearing your Halloween costume to school, but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate the holiday early with friends and family. Whether you're looking to deck out your balcony with pumpkins, take a hayrack ride with coworkers or enjoy time with loved ones around a bonfire, Vala's Pumpkin Patch in Gretna has what you're looking for on its 152-acre establishment.

Now in its 25th year in business, owner Tim Vala said they have noticed a steady stream of people returning to the pumpkin patch this year despite the slumping economy. However, Vala said he isn't sure the recession is keeping the public away from this Midwest Halloween tradition, which opened on Sept. 19.

"It's hard to say because we're more weather related," Vala said. "If the weather's bad, business starts falling off. If it's all nice days, we'll do pretty good."

With pumpkins galore, adults and children of all ages can partake in various attractions such as the train and pony rides, a paint ball shooting range and Giant Apple Sling Shot. Visitors should expect to pay a few extra dollars for these exercises.

However, activities such as the Peddle Car rides, the Storybook Barn, the Spook Shed, the Haunted House and the Pumpkin Mine are all free with paid admission.

One of the most popular attractions at Vala's is the free hayrack rides through the pumpkin patch. Once out in the fields, surveyors have their pick of pumpkins to take home. Vala's charges 39 cents per pound for each pumpkin.

Vala's also allows visitors to rent campfire grounds during the afternoon or evening for $50 on top of the admission cost. But on Wednesdays, Vala's offers up a discount of $25 for these campfire sites from 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The pumpkin patch also enforces a no alcohol policy because their grounds are family friendly.

Senior Erika Frieden said she enjoys going to Vala's because it's a nice break from other stresses in her daily life.

"It's a fun way to get away from studying," Frieden said. "It may be a bit expensive for college students, but Vala's is something that comes around once a year and has so many different things to enjoy."

Compared with other Halloween event alternatives around Omaha, Vala's offers more to do without the added cost of seeing a movie or concert, or spending a night at the local bar.

"It's an experience themed for a whole month that you can't really get at anywhere else," Frieden said. "It's a fun way to experience fall and the month of Halloween with a friend or loved one and to remember being a little kid again."

Vala's Pumpkin Patch is located just north of the Gretna Exit on I-80 and will be open every day from until Nov. 1. Their hours are Sunday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. For more information about Vala's, call 332-4200 or visit valaspumpkinpatch.com.

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