Photo credits: Fiddlesticks Farms

What to know: Fall is, technically, here, which means it’s Fiddlesticks time in Midland. Hayrides, pumpkins, animals, and a new corn maze await at Fiddlesticks Farms, along with a few new crew members.

Fiddlesticks Farms is open for the fall season through Saturday, Nov. 21, at 5610 E. County Road 120. September and October hours are Saturdays, 10 a.m.–9 p.m., and Sundays, 1–6 p.m. In November, the farm is open Saturdays from 1–6 p.m. and closed Sundays.

The big picture: Fiddlesticks is a family-run agricultural entertainment farm on Midland’s east side that opens to the public each fall. The farm hosts school field trips on weekdays and welcomes the public on weekends. This year marks its 19th season. What started as a corn maze and pumpkin patch has grown into a farm with more than 25 attractions that many families treat as Midland’s unofficial start of fall.

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Fiddlesticks welcomed two new additions this fall: a calf born to its popular Highland cows and, for the first time, a giant African spurred tortoise. The farm first introduced the more than 50-pound tortoise as Tilly, believing he was female. Then came the plot twist: Tilly is a he. The farm renamed him Tiller, and visitors can now meet him in the Learning Barn during regular hours.

Fiddlesticks will also host Happy Tiller Day Oct. 24–25, with photos by the barn and a chance to feed Tiller a fall treat.

Go deeper: Here are some of Fiddlesticks’ most popular attractions, almost all included with general admission.

  • 7-acre corn maze: This year’s theme is America 250. The full maze takes about 30–45 minutes, while a shorter fairy-tale trail takes about 15–20 minutes and includes storyboards for younger children.
  • 10-acre pumpkin patch
  • Hayrides and cow train
  • Learning Barn and milking parlor: Animals, a chick hatchery, and live milking every two hours beginning at noon on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Pig races follow each milking.
  • Campfires: Reserve a picnic table and start a fire for hot dogs and s’mores. Sites fill up, so reserve online. They also offer some of the best seats for Saturday night fireworks in October.
  • Helicopter rides: Short flights over the farm are available on October weekends for an additional fee.
  • Courtyard extras: A jumping pillow, slides, photo props, and more outdoor activities for younger children.

Timed extras (September–October):

  • Foam party: Saturdays at 11:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.; Sundays at 3:45 p.m.
  • Candy blaster: Saturdays at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m.; Sundays at 5:30 p.m.
  • Farmtastic Fireworks: 9 p.m. every Saturday in October. Keep your wristband if you leave during the day and return by 8:30 p.m. for the show.

Fiddlesticks also hosts special events throughout the season. Upcoming theme weekends include Dog Days (Oct. 3–4 and Nov. 14), Dairy Days (Oct. 10–11), Mascot Days (Oct. 17–18), Happy Tiller Day (Oct. 24–25), Halloween/Día de los Muertos (Oct. 31), America 250 (Nov. 7), and Santa minis on the final day, Nov. 21.

What’s next: Children 3 and under get in free. General admission for ages 4 and up is $32.07, including fees, on peak days. Non-peak admission is $28.97, including fees, and is available for Nov. 7, 14, and 21. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $25.86 per person, including fees, while groups of 60 or more pay $22.76 per person.

Tickets are available at the gate, or visitors can skip the line by ordering online. Peak-day tickets are date-specific, while non-peak and group tickets are not. Season passes are also available online.