Cute as a pumpkin

Somewhere in my mother's old photo collection, there's a childhood photo of me dressed as a pumpkin for Halloween. It's shown every once in a while to embarrass me in front of complete strangers, and often accompanied by the phrase “cute as a pumpkin.” Despite lingering pumpkin-costume trauma, I still love eating pumpkin in foods such as pie, bread and pasta. Fortunately, there are plenty of good pumpkin sources in the Sacramento area. Check out the following list of patches and farms, plus one event, to satisfy your pumpkin cravings.

Bobby Dazzler’s Pumpkin Patch

Located between Davis and Woodland is a remote patch with pony cart rides, balloons, hair tinsel, a milo (sorghum) maze, and barbecues on the weekends. Noon-7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 23300 County Road 99D in Davis; (530) 867-4167; www.yourpumpkins.com.

Cool Patch Pumpkins

This patch, famous for its 53-acre corn maze, boasts dozens of pumpkin varieties, a scarecrow contest, hay rides, pedal carts, food and drinks. In 2007, Cool Patch’s 40-acre maze won the title of Guinness World Records’ Largest Corn Maze. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, weather permitting. 6585 Milk Farm Road in Dixon, (530) 304-0163, www.coolpatchpumpkins.com.

Dave’s Pumpkin Patch

Dave’s Pumpkin Patch at Vierra Farms allows you to pick a pumpkin straight from the vine and walk through a “haunted” maze at night. There are also numerous other child-friendly attractions, such as hay rides, pony rides, a bunny barn, a hay maze, pig races and a gigantic “jumping pillow” which resembles a huge trampoline. 10 a.m.-dusk, Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday. 3010 Burrows Avenue in West Sacramento, (916) 849-9450, www.vierrafarms.com.

Giant Pumpkin Festival

Held annually in Elk Grove, this festival regularly sees pumpkins weighing more than 400 pounds. A contest awards prizes and glory to the grower of the largest pumpkin. There will also be boat racers, music, a scarecrow contest, food contests, and food and drinks for sale. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., October 6 and 7. Free. Elk Grove Regional Park, 9950 Elk Grove Florin Road in Elk Grove; (916) 684-7550; www.yourcsd.com/pumpkinfestival.

The Pumpkin Farm

Celebrating its 38th year in operation, this Citrus Heights pumpkin farm boasts a zoo, train rides, hayrides, a haunted barn, scarecrows, corn mazes and a jump castle. In 2010, the farm produced a 1,535-pound pumpkin that won first place at the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 7736 Old Auburn Road in Citrus Heights, (916) 726-1137, www.pumpkinfarm.net.