There's an annual love affair with autumn characterized by the nip of a crisp evening, the smell of warm apple cider and the orange, red and yellow turning of the leaves and fields of pumpkins. This is the stuff of a wonderful dream.

For the 32nd year in a row, Spooner Farms will make a lot of autumnal dreams come true as it hosts the South Sound's premier fall festival and corn maze: The Spooner Farms Harvest Festival.

Many years ago, the farm lost a strawberry crop due to bad weather. Not wanting to risk everything on the whims of the weather, the Spooners decided to grow their first pumpkin crop, along with some gourds and squash.

The farm is also well-known for its strawberries, raspberries, Kotata blackberries and blueberries.

As visitors flocked to the farm to purchase these fruits (yes, pumpkins, gourds and squash are also fruits), the Spooners added a corn maze and a pumpkin sling shot.

"Every year we try and add some new evented," explained Gayle Burrows, the farm's manager. "We host a kids' activity barn, a Pumpkin Pete's play area, farm animals, food vendors and tram rides. All of our activities are geared toward families and their children."

She also noted that her grandchildren selected this year's theme for the fall harvest festival - The Dream Before Halloween.

What began in 1882 as a dream to own and operate a farm is now a reality to the sixth generation of Spooners who work the farm.

"If I had to describe our farm and what we do in a word, it would be ‘family,'" continued Burrows. "Everything is about our visitors and their families."

"It is unique not only due to our outstanding customer service, our unwavering commitment to food safety, our loyal staff and our longevity in our community, but to families and how we respect and treat them."

Along with children's activities, tram rides and good food and drink to enjoy, visitors can also explore the over 50 varieties of pumpkins, gourds and squash, to say nothing of the farm's famous sweet corn.

And for those with a sweet tooth, the farms makes its own caramel apples and fudge.

"Along with all of this and more, adults and children love getting lost in the corn maze and taking family photographs with all of the fall colors and scenes set up around the farm," said Burrows.

"Roasted corn, mini donuts and corn dogs are a big hit too, and a lot of adults enjoy the pumpkin sling shot. Everyone is invited to join us."

Spooner Farms is located at 9710 State Route 162 East outside of Puyallup. The Harvest Festival runs from Sept. 28 thru Oct. 31.

The farm opens every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors are asked to not bring their pets. All forms of payment can be used, and there are ATMs on site. 

For more information, visit https://spoonerberries.com or call 253-840-2059.