Staheli Family Farms’ autumn attractions draw thousands with its cornucopia of spooks, creatures and gourds

Staheli Family Farm offers an autumn cornucopia of attractions, from Spookly's Pumpkin Patch to the Field of Screams, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 20, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News

WASHINGTON CITY – The weather over the weekend couldn’t have been more perfect, and both locals and tourists alike flocked to Staheli Family Farmfor a night of spooks, screams and fun.

Entering the Maze, Staheli Family Farm, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 20, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News

The Corn Maze is a returning and highly popular attraction. In this test of fitness and sense of direction, patrons must weave their way through a 15-acre maze in the shape of The Biggest Loser Resort logo.

On the east side of the farm sits Spookley’s Pumpkin Patch. Patrons can hitch a wagon ride over to pick out their own pumpkins for the unbeatable price of 30 cents a pound. There are plenty to choose from, too: Amy Beynon, who works the weigh station, estimated that she has sold seven tons of the big orange gourds so far.

Pumpkin patch worker Amy Beynon weighing pumpkins

The petting zoo delighted young and old alike, with a variety of friendly farm animals on display.

“The 4-month-old baby llama has been the big hit this year,” employee Drew Mayfield said.

Those brave enough to enter the Haunted House were greeted by a host of colorful characters, including Wick’a Dee Witch. Children later lined up by the dozen at her witch hut to snap a photo with this spooky master of spells.

The Field of Screams is fast becoming a Halloween-time tradition in Washington County, but this 30-40 minute terror tour is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Field of Screams at Staheli Family Farm, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 20, 2012 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News

Chris Young, of Las Vegas, brought his 4-year-old son Dylan to the festivities. As they roasted marshmallows, he said, “We don’t have this type of entertainment in Vegas, so we were happy to drive up and have fun. The weather is just a bit chilly, but not bad at all.”

While great fun for those who attend, the Halloween activities benefit the farm’s economy tremendously. Total ticket sales from Thursday to Saturday were estimated to be over 5,000 and were still selling at 10 p.m. on Saturday.

Sherrie Staheli Reeder, one of the owners of Staheli Family Farm, said that Washington City recently became the first municipality in Utah to pass a statute allowing farms to offer entertainment of this kind.

“More and more family farms are looking to this type of venue to keep their cash flow going during the slower winter months,” she said.

All of Staheli’s fall attractions will run until Nov. 3. Monday-Thursday hours are 5 to 9 p.m., Friday hours are 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday hours are 12 to 11 p.m. The Field of Screams and Haunted House do not open until dark.

For tickets and more information on Staheli Family Farm, visit their website.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

 

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2012, all rights reserved.

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5 Comments

  • Wick'a Dee Witch October 25, 2012 at 6:23 am

    Dave Amodt’s photos are beautiful and they really tell the story well! The stories are good, too. The family stuff is so important in today’s “bad news” world! Thanks for running stories like “Staheli Family Farms’ Autumn Attractions.” It’s great to include the photo gallery, too. That’s what makes an online news source the best medium. Cool!

  • Annie Barber October 27, 2012 at 10:51 am

    I truly enjoyed Dave Amodts story about the Staheli family Farms Autumn attractions. The photos are great, Dave Amodt is a fantastic photographer and all together very talented.

  • Jewel April 6, 2013 at 8:58 am

    If you want to be in the field of screams this year how do you? My friend, Cassie, and I would love to help! 🙂

    • Avatar photo Joyce Kuzmanic April 6, 2013 at 9:14 am

      Sounds like fun, Jewel. Here is direct contact information for Staheli Family Farms, you may inquire with them directly:
      email: [email protected]
      Tel: 435-673-4096
      Hope to see you there,
      ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews.com
      Joyce Kuzmanic
      Editor in Chief

  • tom struchen October 14, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    i am going on thruday can you till me a little bit about it?

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