Guests walk through the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

The children had a great time on the huge slide. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

The children raced to enter the corn maze. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

One of the hotel’s educational symbols introduces guests to the components of pumpkins. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

Friends ride a cow train. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

One of Pope Farms' educational symbols teaches guests how to grow corn. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

A girl smiles while ziplining. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

The signs around Pope Farms include interesting facts about agriculture. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

The brothers and sisters raced their rubber ducks. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

The toys are in the corn box. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

Families compete to see who can hit the most targets with their pumpkin blaster. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

When people joined the hay wagon for the last time of the day, friends transported their pumpkins back from the plot. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

The guests in the hay cart have a front seat to watch their guide shoot the giant pumpkin cannon. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

When the sun goes down, the children will jump on the bouncing pillows. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

The family walked around in the pumpkin field, looking for the best pumpkin. (Katy Ross/Fort Morgan Times)

Although locals in Wiggins are familiar with Pope’s Farm, many call it the most kept secret. Pumpkin and other agricultural products farms that began in 1978 began to introduce agricultural tourism activities in 2010. Now, people from Morgan County and all over Colorado travel to Wiggins for the fall celebrations.

Derek Pope's family has been growing pumpkins and other agricultural products on their farm for decades, so when Pope graduated from college in 2007, he knew he wanted to return to farming. But due to the lack of water in the area, he had to find a creative way to continue his agricultural business.

It was originally a local pumpkin field and field trips for elementary school students. Now it has become a tourist destination and family tradition for many people. Derek's wife Cynthia Pope estimates that Pope Farms will receive approximately 10,000 visitors in the fall.

The plan started very early. The design of the corn maze was completed in spring and planted in May. The Pope participates in many farmers’ markets every July. This year, they even added a September event: Sunflower Festival. The Pope strives to bring something new to the farm every year.

"We take coming here as a priority. It's great to see that they add something every year. They keep making it more interesting," said Wiggins resident Karin Sidderberg.

About four years ago, the Siedelbergs saw the charm of small-town life and moved from Boulder to Wiggins. Their daughter loves the Pope’s Farm so much that they now participate in this family tradition every year.

Siedelbergs’ youngest daughter, Alexie, likes to see people she knows at the pumpkin patch, including everyone from her kindergarten teacher to her teenage sister who works at Pope Farms for the first time this season.

"We came here in the first year and the child had a ball. She has always liked it since then, so we keep coming out," Michael Sidelberg said. "For us, it's so exciting to come here every year, absolutely. The whole community supports it. I can't ask for better."

Cynthia Pope likes to see repeat customers from the annual Pope Farms trip. She also likes to create her own family memories with Derek and their two sons Barrett and Axel.

"The best part is that you can make memories of autumn every year. It's fun to see people post all their photos of posts. We like watching the family grow year after year. We hope to continue to grow with you," she said . "At Pope Farms, we work hard every year to add something new to attract people back, but in the final analysis, we are most proud that our pumpkin crop has ended our year. We have been working hard throughout the year to ensure northeastern Colorado. 'S family has a fun and beautiful space to celebrate the harvest and choose the perfect pumpkin."

In addition to the pumpkin field and corn maze, there are also various activities suitable for family members of all ages. During the day, some activities include hay riding around the hotel, pumpkin cannon, giant slide, zip line, "The Twister", corn box, (rubber) duck competition, spider web climbing net, paintball, cattle train, sandbox And a bouncing pillow similar to a trampoline. There are also many photo manipulations and food choices. Daytime attractions close when it gets dark, just in time for night activities, zombie paintball shooting, and haunted corn mazes, which are even more creepy.

Because the goal of agritourism is entertainment and education, the Pope ensures that there are some new facts when guests leave. The signs around the hotel contain interesting facts about corn, pumpkins and general agriculture. During the hay tour, the guide showed the guests different pumpkins, gourds, peppers, sunflowers and corn crops, and told the rider that the Pope planted 37 different varieties of pumpkins.

Unfortunately, the fall celebration ends before Halloween, but make sure to record it on the Pope’s Farm weekend on the 2022 calendar.

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