Autumn arrives and with it the escapades to nature that allow you to see the leaves fall from the trees and connect with the season. Forests such as El Hayedo de Montejo are ideal for routes, but there are also other recreational and creative outdoor activities that can be done in an orchard.
Tractor rides, sack races, getting lost in a corn maze and running through piles of straw are just some of the proposals of La Huerta de Aranjuez, a company that is dedicated throughout the year to bring the countryside to young and old. La Huerta celebrates these days from September 27 to November 9, as indicated on its website, where you can buy tickets to participate.
Halloween in a rural setting
In the month of October, La Huerta de Aranjuez joins the Halloween plans and organizes its own “Pumkin Patch”. It is an event in which participants can pick their own pumpkin and decorate it, enjoying the country setting and the rest of the activities on offer.
Although this tradition comes from Anglo-Saxon countries, it is becoming increasingly popular around the world and the Huerta de Aranjuez brings it to Madrid. In addition, on October 25 and 26 and November 1, special Halloween days will be held. In addition to picking pumpkins and enjoying rural activities, there will be a Halloween face painting, a candy table and a live country band.
A day in the country
Activities are aimed at both children and adults. One of the favorites is the tractor ride through the countryside and also the photocall areas, designed to make a great souvenir. The games are also for everyone, with sack races divided into shifts by age and a park area.
Nature and construction come together in the straw maze and the corn pool, where children can dive into the small yellow kernels. And, continuing with this cereal, there is also a large corn maze that tests visitors to find the exit. Tickets cost around 20 euros and include a drink and the tasting of a roasted ear of corn, which can be done in the picnic area.
Why pumpkin picking
The choice of pumpkins is not only autumnal, but is linked to the iconography of Halloween. Its origin goes back to Irish tradition, where there was the legend of a man who had tricked the devil and was condemned to wander for eternity with a lantern made of a hollow turnip, known as Jack-o’-lantern.
For this reason, during their October 31 festivities, the Irish were in the habit of stuffing turnips with candles. When Irish families immigrated to the United States in the 19th century, they discovered that the pumpkin was much larger and easier to carve and decided to use it as a substitute for holding candles.
Since then the pumpkin has been linked to Halloween and also to autumn in general because of its presence in multiple recipes. Picking pumpkins in a pumpkin patch is both a seasonal and festive plan, ideal for enjoying with children, getting close to the rural and exploiting creativity.