Corley Ranch Harvest Festival in fifth year

Staff Reports

The fifth annual Carson Valley Harvest Festival is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekend in October at the Corley Ranch beginning Oct. 3.

The family-operated working ranch has organically grown gourds, winter squash, watermelon and corn, available to pick from the field to buy in the ranch's country store. There are 14 varieties of pumpkins, food craft items for sale at the Harvest Festival.

This year's corn maze is the Wagon Wheel from Outer Space where visitors navigate crop circles to locate the Charlie Brown pumpkin.

Also featured is the haunted hay ride to the old cemetery, a hay bale maze for younger children, bounce house, miniature horse rides, the miniature train, petting zoo and piglet races. New features this year include a disc golf course and giant water balloon sling shot.

Weekend events at the Harvest Festival feature Hula Hoop, talent and apple launching contests, a visit from members of the UNR Wolf Pack to introduce the new wolf pumpkin. The night crawler maze is featured on Saturday nights. Admission price includes hot chocolate and treats.

Admission to the festival is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 3 to 17, free for children 2 and younger.

The Corley Ranch is at 859 Highway 395, a mile south of Pinenut Road in Gardnerville.

Information and harvest festival discount coupons at www.corleyranch.com

Interested crafters and vendors, call Paula Corley at (775) 721-1047.