Orange pumpkins, orange leaves and even orange cats set the visual scene at Little Munchkins Pumpkin Patch just south of I-70 near Alma.

The wonderland of autumnal sights and sounds is owned and operated by Cori and Jarrod (who goes by Harley, no relation to Davidson) Meseke. They and their five children, Jude, Jaryn, Jolee, Jack and Jarett, provide fun for the whole family during the fall at their pumpkin patch.

“We started the pumpkin patch in 2008, and it’s grown a lot since then,” Cori says. “The first five years were a slower start, but people have caught on and it’s been a great learning experience.”

“I wish we would have gotten photos of the beginning so we could go back and look at all the progress we’ve made,” Jarrod says. “But we have families who have been here year after year, and we reminisce with them about how things have changed.”

Originally, the land Little Munchkins Pumpkin Patch occupies was used for cattle. Jarrod’s grandpa was a recycler of sorts. He would keep his cattle contained on the land by putting old cars on their sides. While inventive at the time, it became a feat to clear those out for the pumpkin patch. But hard work runs in the Meseke family, and they’re instilling that same ethic in the next generation.

“I grew up having to work, and my dad’s always been a hard worker,” Jarrod says. “Cori and I are over here, working non-stop, and we hope our kids see that work ethic and emulate that. We’ll have our kids do a little bit of work here and there and sometimes they accept it and other times they want to fight us.”

Fall magic at the pumpkin patch

Walking around the pumpkin patch, Cori and Jarrod have a keen eye for any trash on the ground and immediately pick it up.

“I tell our kids all the time when they’re here that if they see something, pick it up,” Jared says. “Cori and I pride ourselves on how clean our patch is.”

The walkways are clean, the decorations are thoughtful and there’s something new to discover every time you look around.

“When the leaves change on these trees, we’ve heard people tell us it’s magical out here,” Jarrod says. He points to Cori and proudly says, “She does a lot of it.”

A petting zoo, food trucks, slides, Connect 4 with basketballs, a train, zip line, straw pit, corn maze, an opportunity to take out a large target logoed with the emblems of the University of Kansas or Kansas State University with a hedgeball and so much more creates fun for kids and adults.

“When people come out here and appreciate the pumpkin patch and enjoy their time here, that makes us want to continue this work,” Jarrod says. “When I hear kids getting upset when it’s their time to leave, I know they had a great time.”

The pumpkin patch opened Sept. 14 and is open on the weekends until after Halloween. The patch welcomes field trips for schools during the weekdays, but reservations are required. For only $15 for kids aged 2-15 and $5 for adults, the attractions offer an affordable day of family fun in the crisp, fall air. Plus, who doesn’t love an orange kitten following them around?

For specific hours and frequently asked questions, visit www.littlemunchkinspumpkinpatch.com. 

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