MITCHELLVILLE, Iowa — Pumpkinville and Cornmaze in Mitchellville is celebrating 30 years and has opened for a season of hay rides, mazes, and more.

Melissa Matcalf and her son Mason help run the family business and say it started the way most things do in Iowa, as a family farm.

“It started out thirty years ago, it started with my in-laws, and it started out as vegetables and pumpkins just for the family. And eventually, it turned into pumpkins for the community, and then it just blew up,” said Melissa Matcalf.

Over the years, Pumpkinville and Cornmaze has seen generations visit the farm rain or shine, along with generations of friends and friends who help them keep things running.

“We just love having more people around us, especially family friends, they bring a better work environment to this place and it’s people we trust and they’ve been here forever and they have a lot of experience coming out,” said Mason.

Melissa recognizes people who come back each year and enjoys catching up saying, “It’s great to hear, ‘Oh I’ve been coming here since preschool and now I am bringing in my child,’ it’s great to hear that.”

The patch sells a variety including big pumpkins, mini pumpkins, gourds, ornamental corn, and cornschocks. Melissa says the patch continues to expand their options.

“A new pumpkin we have this year is called ‘One Too Many,’ they’re just large and striated with different colors and that’s my favorite one this year, said Melissa. Meanwhile Mason prefers something simpler saying, “My favorite are these miniature pumpkins over here cause I just think they are pretty cute, and a lot of people love them.”

Pumpkinville and Cornmaze offers free admission and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beginning in October, the patch will have vendors and food trucks on Saturday’s and Sunday’s. Learn more on the Pumpkinville and Cornmaze website.