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Samuel Graves of San Antonio jumped at the chance to simulate a tractor ride Oct. 28 on one of the vehicle props at Sweetberry Farm. Connie Swinney/The Highlander -
A favorite Sweetberry Farm feature involves stuffing your own scarecrow. Contributed -
Above: The venue also allows youngsters to pet livestock and ride ponies. Kim Green/The Highlander -
Right: Lylie Jones of Kingsland was a festive walking doll after her face was painted at Sweetberry Farm. -
Liam McDonald, 4, of Burnet County walked through rows of planted fall flowers recently, which is among the features of Sweetberry Farm in Tobyville. Contributed -
Hay rides are conducted at Sweetberry Farm in Tobyville for $4 per person. Entry to the venue is free with various prices for activities such as scarecrow stuffing, barrel train rides and flower picking. Pumpkins and gourds are sold by the pound. Contributed
From trunk-or-treat events and a haunted house to farm harvest tours and activities in the park, visitors and locals can participate in a myriad of Halloween activities through the weekend, Oct. 30 through Nov. 1.
One of the most popular regular events involves a stop at Sweetberry Farm, just outside Marble Falls, which is in the midst of fall harvest activities. Visitors can paint pumpkins, ride ponies, hop on a hayride, walk through a Texas-shaped maze, stuff scarecrows and hop around on Berry Bounce pads as well as pick through and purchase pumpkins and other gourds.
On Oct. 28, Cindy Graves and her family – Rebekah, Samuel and twins Esther Joy and Lily Grace – drove from San Antonio for a day trip at the Tobyville-based farm, 1801 FM 1980.
“I love fall. I love pumpkins. I love getting pictures of my kids in the pumpkins,” Graves said. “It’s a great place that has space for the kids to run and play and just enjoy things that remind of us of the season.”
The venue is open through Nov. 8, including Halloween weekend. Days and times open are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
The farm is closed on Wednesdays.
Unfortunately for the Graves family, they were not aware of the day closed until they arrived in the area to find the venue empty. The owners gave permission for the family to take a brief tour.
“Well, just the experience of walking around and seeing some of the activities that are available here, getting to put their hands on these pumpkins with the different sizes and shapes and colors,” she said. “It’s just lots of fun for kids.”
Although the family had to return home the same day, they expect to plan another trip.
“They still allowed us to come back in and enjoy all the pumpkins. I think that’s pure kindness,” Graves said. “They realized we drove a long way and just wanted to make it enjoyable for our family.
“I think they would love to paint a pumpkin or bounce on the pads. They would enjoy the cornfield maze. All of the activities look like a lot of fun.”
For more information, contact the venue at 830-798-1462, email info@sweetberryfarm.com or go to www.sweetberryfarm.com.
Families can also enjoy a number of other venues throughout the Highland Lakes.
VFD Haunted House
The Fourth annual Haunted House, hosted by Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department, is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the agency’s headquarters, 606 Avenue U.
The haunted house venue is planned so attendees can enter through the agency’s new addition and exit into the fire hall bay.
Instead of asking for monetary donations, organizers will take canned goods at the door to be offered to the Marble Falls Helping Center.
Halloween in the Park
On Halloween Saturday, Oct. 31, the Marble Falls Parks and Recreation
Department along with police and fire departments, are hosting a drive-through trick-or-treating event.
The free feature, the first of its kind in the city, is from 5 to 8 p.m. at Johnson Park. The protocol – with “social distancing and safety purposes” at the crux – will involve motorists driving vendor to vendor to collect candy and treats, participation in games and activities and opting for a photo at the end to be submitted in a costume contest.
Go to marblefallsrecreation.com for more information about Halloween in the Park.
Llano Trunk-or-Treat Trail
In Llano, businesses and church supporters have joined forces for an unofficial Llano Trunk-or-Treat Trail event from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. around the community on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Attendees can participate in Halloween activities and collect treats from Main Street merchants around the Llano County Courthouse Square as well as First Baptist Church, 107 W. Luce.
Other participating entities include the Llano Chamber of Commerce and Lowe’s Food Market, 104 W. Young (Texas 29) and the John L. Kuykendall Event Center, 2200 W. RR 152, which will offer trick-or-treating opportunities for youngsters.
Spotlight on Spooky Event
The Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main St., is hosting families today, Friday Oct. 30 and asking patrons to wear costumes to receive “spooky good treats.” The library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Go to marblefallslibrary.org for more features.