Though temperatures remain warm, leaves are starting to turn. Autumn — and October — has arrived in Central Oregon.

That brings Halloween and fall festivities to the region. The Redmond area has plenty to offer when it comes to pumpkin picking and scary sights.

Pumpkin patches

A Jack-O-Lantern jumping pad, go-karts, paintball, arcade games, ponies and hay rides were set up for DD Ranch’s opening day on Sept. 29.

The family-owned ranch in Terrebonne is open for autumn hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m from Sept. 29 to Oct. 31, but closed on Mondays.

Ranch owner Linda Anspach said they’re not expecting too many people on opening day, as it’ll still be September, but visitors may have “a lot more opportunities” due to quick wait times and the cream of the pumpkin crop to choose from.

Their u-pick pumpkins range from $1 for a small up to $25 for larger gourds. They are priced by circumference, Anspach said.

DD also has a brand new paintball shooting gallery this year, which will refurbish old ranch equipment into Halloween-themed shooting targets. Anspach said there is age requirement, but there will be a height requirement in order to shoot.

The most popular amenities, however, are still the hayrides and pony rides. DD Ranch has seven ponies that are hand-led during their rides, while the wagon-drawn hayrides are able to handle larger groups.

“It’s really fun, you go out to the field where the cows are and can hand hay out to the cows. There’s also a talking tour to show people around the ranch,” Anspach said. “People really love it.”

The petting zoo features potbelly pigs, calves, goats and sheep. There are also animals to visit but not pet, like donkeys, alpacas and llamas.

Each activity requires at least one ticket and tickets cost $3.50 each. Parking and entry is free.

Smith Rock Ranch

DD is not the only patch in town. Smith Rock Ranch, also in Terrebonne, opened Saturday, Sept. 28. In addition to u-pick pumpkins, Smith Rock Ranch also has a Snoopy-themed corn maize, shooting gallery, pony rides, pumpkin cannons, face painting, train, petting zoo, market, golf, wagon rides, photo booth, live music and a bark park for dogs.

The corn maze, which is themed ”Snoopy for President”, is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, while on Friday it opens at noon. The maze costs $10 per person and children under 5 years old are free. The pumpkin patch and market is open every day from noon to 6 p.m during the week., is closed Monday and opens at 10 a.m. on weekends. Ranch activities are open Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Each activity requires tokens and eacg token costs $4. Carver pumpkins cost 50 cents per pound. Speciality pumpkins are more expensive.

HauntsIf you’re looking for something a bit scarier than pumpkins and petting zoos, haunted attractions may be the fright you desire.

Scare Me Good, 120 SE Glacier Ave., opens its doors at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4 for 18th year in business. They offer two separate experiences for visitors. The first, is “an asylum” with abandoned patients, alive and dead, terrorizing all those who enter. The second is a carnival-themed haunt.

Tickets for both attractions cost $40 and fast pass tickets that bring you to the front of the line cost $70 online. A ticket for just one costs $22.50. Visitors can also purchase tickets on site for an additional $5. The tickets are also “timed,” meaning there is designated time slot in order to reduce wait times, their website states. Time slots range from 7-9 p.m.

The haunted house is open every Friday and Saturday until Oct. 24. Its then open every day from Oct. 25-Nov. 1.

Scare Me Good haunts have a no cell phone, camera, watch or lighting policy.

FestivalsIn Prineville, The High Desert Moonfest hosts a harvest-to-heritage celebration. The event takes place at Pioneer Park on Oct. 26 at noon and includes food, beer, music and more.

The event aims to celebrate Crook County’s modern farming season as well as ranching, timber and Indigenous roots. There will be programs and activities to teach culture, heritage and history of the area for all ages.

There will be additional activities organized in local businesses and recreational sites around Prineville, as well as a guided tour of the Crooked River Wetlands.

The Bend Fall Festival is back Oct. 4-6 in the downtown area. The festival features arts, crafts, interactive installations, live music, family friendly activities, shopping vendors and more. The festival is free and open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Reporter: hlull@redmondspokesman.com