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Farm fun abounds in St. Louis metro-east. Here are four to visit this fall

By Joshua Carter
Many farms also host petting and feeding zoos, such as Eckert’s Relleke Farms, and to Brauetigam’s.
Many farms also host petting and feeding zoos, such as Eckert’s Relleke Farms, and to Brauetigam’s. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

With less than 30 days until Halloween and the weather finally dipping below 70 degrees for more than a few hours, it’s time to start enjoying the seasonal harvests of metro-east farms.

Whether you’re into tractor rides, apple-picking, or just looking to see a pumpkin get launched hundreds of feet from a canon or trebuchet, here are a list of fun farms to visit with just a short drive.

Braeutigam Orchards

Braeutigam is located in Turkey Hill and offers apple-picking and a playground for the kids. A gentle tractor ride takes families and individuals looking for fresh apples into acres of rolling orchards, and a well-stocked country store with homemade apple butter and other produce is available upon return.

Location: 2795 Turkey Hill Lane, Belleville, IL 62221

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Patrick Tipsord drives patrons on a tractor to the orchards at Brauetigam’s Farms in Belleville, Ill.
Patrick Tipsord drives patrons on a tractor to the orchards at Brauetigam’s Farms in Belleville, Ill. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Braeutigam Farms produces its own produce, including high quality apple butter available at their on-site country store.
Braeutigam Farms produces its own produce, including high quality apple butter available at their on-site country store. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

Eckert’s

Eckert’s has long been a Belleville favorite in the metro-east fall farm scene. With more than one location in the metro-east, there’s something for everyone including children’s rides, a pig race and a corn maze that changes shape and themes each year. Oh, and did we mention they have a cannon that fires pumpkins as far as a football field using compressed gas?

Locations: Eckert’s farms in Belleville (951 S Green Mt Road, Belleville, IL 62220), Millstadt (2719 Eckert Orchard Lane, Millstadt, IL 62260) and Grafton (20995 Eckert Orchard Road, Grafton, IL 62037)

Hours: Field access is ticketed and available hours vary by day and location.

‘Rusty Pliers’ has operated Eckert’s pneumatic pumpkin cannon for years and hosts hourly shows in which he fires pumpkins hundreds of yards with great enthusiasm at their Milstadt Fun Farm.
‘Rusty Pliers’ has operated Eckert’s pneumatic pumpkin cannon for years and hosts hourly shows in which he fires pumpkins hundreds of yards with great enthusiasm at their Milstadt Fun Farm. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Eckert’s Milstadt Fun Farm hosts a different themed corn maze each year, with this year’s theme being that of stray animal rescue. This drone photo shows a dog with the words “stray rescue” cut into the maze.
Eckert’s Milstadt Fun Farm hosts a different themed corn maze each year, with this year’s theme being that of stray animal rescue. This drone photo shows a dog with the words “stray rescue” cut into the maze. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Another of Eckert’s strange yet fun activities is a massive trampoline large enough to fit dozens of leaping children.
Another of Eckert’s strange yet fun activities is a massive trampoline large enough to fit dozens of leaping children. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Children enjoy the rides at Eckert’s Fun Farm in Milstadt, Ill.
Children enjoy the rides at Eckert’s Fun Farm in Milstadt, Ill. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
‘Rusty Pliers’ has operated Eckert’s pneumatic pumpkin cannon for years and hosts hourly shows in which he fires pumpkins hundreds of yards with great enthusiasm at their Milstadt Fun Farm.
‘Rusty Pliers’ has operated Eckert’s pneumatic pumpkin cannon for years and hosts hourly shows in which he fires pumpkins hundreds of yards with great enthusiasm at their Milstadt Fun Farm. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

Relleke Farms

Collinsville’s Relleke Farms has a slew of rides and activities, including a roller coaster, a human hampster wheel, and a host of animals within its petting zoo. Relleke farms also has a pumpkin launcher, only theirs is analogue — a trebuchet that requires a special engineer to operate.

Admission to each event (and there are numerous) requires the purchase of a ticket, and each event has a different ticket cost. With so many activities, it is sure to be an eventful day at Relleke’s.

Location: 519 Sand Prairie Road, Pontoon Beach, IL 62040

Hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm every day for farm visits and activities.

Keri Green picks pumpkins with her children at Relleke Farms in Collinsville, Ill.
Keri Green picks pumpkins with her children at Relleke Farms in Collinsville, Ill. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

Pumpkin Blossom Hill

Pumpkin Blossom Hill Farm charges no admissions for their massive Red Bud farm and hosts a pumpkin patch and $1 mechanical bull rides on weekends. While a corn maze and plenty of farmed-themed playgrounds are certainly an attraction for the kids, adults with equally enjoy stumbling through the thick vines carpeting their sprawling pumpkin patch. Make sure to leave the credit card at home, though, since the farm only accepts cash or check.

Location: 5483 IL-154, Red Bud, IL 62278, USA

Hours: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday (closed Wednesdays), 9:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday.

Pumpkin Blossom Farms has free admission and an exceptionally large pumpkin patch in the middle of Red Bud, Ill. farmland.
Pumpkin Blossom Farms has free admission and an exceptionally large pumpkin patch in the middle of Red Bud, Ill. farmland. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Pumpkin Blossom Farms has free admission and an exceptionally large pumpkin patch in the middle of Red Bud, Ill. farmland.
Pumpkin Blossom Farms has free admission and an exceptionally large pumpkin patch in the middle of Red Bud, Ill. farmland. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

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