Story and video by Victoria Leuang / Contributing Writer
As the leaves change and the air cools, pumpkin patches are open for the season. Lucky Ladd Farms in Eagleville was the first to open in Tennessee, though, kicking off autumn with many traditional activities.
“Having the pumpkin patch farm open to the public is very rewarding,” said farm owner Amy Ladd. “This gives us the opportunity to educate people about where their agricultural roots come from, and how … those things impact their lives.”
Lucky Ladd Farms is the largest petting zoo in Tennessee and offers over 75 attractions for all ages. They feature several acres of playground, mega slides, wagon slides, pony rides and others. There’s also a nature trail that teaches visitors about cedar glades.
“We make the playgrounds where they’re fun for adults to come out and enjoy childhood again too,” Ladd said.
The four-acre corn maze brings originality with their Nashville Predators-themed design honoring the hockey team and their fans. The design has the Nashville Predators logo, a hockey player shooting a puck, the Nashville skyline, the state’s Tri-Star symbol and a tribute to the Cellblock 303, the famous group of fans that sit in section 303 in Bridgestone Arena. And of course, there is a catfish to complete the Predators corn maze.
“We really try to make everything our own so that way we’re proud of it,” Ladd said.
According to The Tennessean, Ladd used to hand-draw her sketches on graph paper. She now designs on Photoshop and works with a family friend who lives in Pontotoc, Mississippi. He takes her design and converts it to GPS coordinates, goes to the field and mows down the trail.
“Sometimes we have to use the weed-eater to get the fine details in, but it’s all done now by GPS,” Ladd said.
The farm offers customers their own version of funnel cake called funnel fingers, which are little funnel finger bites. They also serve traditional fair foods such as cheeseburgers, hot dogs and caramel apples.
Lucky Ladd Farms will be open from Sept. 20 through Oct. 29. Hours may vary throughout the week. For more details and admission prices, click here.
To contact Lifestyles Editor Tayhlor Stephenson, email [email protected].
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