Best Fall Drives From Sunnyside to Prosser Wine Country

Fall in the Yakima Valley is one of the most spectacular and most festive seasons in all of Eastern Washington. The combination of golden harvest colors, fresh apple orchards, and incredible fall farm activities makes the drive from the Tri-Cities to the Yakima Valley one of the best autumn road trips in Washington State. Here is your complete corn maze and pumpkin patch road trip guide from the Tri-Cities to the Yakima Valley from our team at Speck Dealerships. Why the Tri-Cities to Yakima Valley Road Trip Is Worth It Every Fall The Tri-Cities to Yakima Valley road trip along I-82 is one of the most accessible and most rewarding fall day trips in Eastern Washington. The drive from Kennewick to Yakima is approximately 75 miles and takes roughly 60 to 75 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Along the way you pass through Sunnyside, Grandview, Prosser, and the heart of Yakima Valley wine and agricultural country. Fall colors in the orchards and vineyards along I-82 make even the drive itself a genuinely beautiful and memorable autumn experience for every member of the family. Always verify hours, dates, admission prices, and availability directly with each farm before visiting as these details change annually. Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes Along the Route 1. Country Mercantile Harvest Festival Location: Pasco, WA (Franklin County) Getting There From the Tri-Cities: Country Mercantile is located in Pasco making it the most convenient first stop on your fall road trip from Kennewick, Richland, or Pasco. From Kennewick cross the Blue Bridge on US-395 north into Pasco and follow local roads to Country Mercantile’s Pasco location. Country Mercantile started as a small produce stand and their annual Pumpkin Patch Festival includes corn mazes, straw bale mazes, straw bale pyramids, and a tractor-pulled wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch. They are open seven days a week during the fall festival season. onlyinyourstate What to Expect: Multiple pumpkin varieties to choose from throughout the fall season Corn maze and straw bale maze for all ages Tractor-pulled wagon rides out to the pumpkin patch Fresh local produce and fall market items Family-friendly activities throughout the harvest season 2. Middleton Farms Fall Festival Location: Pasco, WA Getting There From the Tri-Cities: Middleton Farms is located in Pasco making it another convenient early stop on your Tri-Cities to Yakima Valley fall road trip before heading west on I-82. Middleton’s Fall Festival features a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, a hayride through the fields, food, and more. This is a popular local destination for Tri-Cities families looking for fall farm activities close to home before continuing the road trip west toward the Yakima Valley. nbcrightnow What to Expect: U-pick pumpkin patch with multiple pumpkin varieties Themed corn maze for the whole family Hayrides through the farm fields Food and family-friendly fall festival activities 3. Union Gap Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch Location: Union Gap, WA (near Yakima) Getting There From the Tri-Cities: Take I-82 west from the Tri-Cities approximately 70 miles toward Yakima. Take the Union Gap exit off I-82 and follow local signs to the Union Gap Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. The drive from Kennewick is approximately 60 to 70 minutes under normal traffic conditions. The Union Gap Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch is a family-friendly fall harvest adventure with a hay ride, straw maze for kids, apple cannons, u-pick pumpkins, and a big corn maze that mysteriously turns haunted with ghouls at 7 pm. nwtripfinder What to Expect: Large corn maze for older children and adults Smaller straw maze specifically designed for younger children U-pick pumpkin patch with a wide variety of pumpkins Apple cannons and additional family-friendly fall activities Haunted maze experience available during evening hours The Union Gap Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch features fun activities for all ages throughout the fall season. Always check the official website or call ahead for current season dates, hours, and admission pricing before visiting. visityakima 4. Thompson’s Farm Pumpkin Patch and Festival Location: 9535 Old Naches Highway, Naches, WA 98937 Getting There From the Tri-Cities: Take I-82 west from the Tri-Cities to the Yakima area then continue west on Highway 12 toward Naches. Thompson’s Farm is located on Old Naches Highway approximately 12 miles west of Yakima. The total drive from Kennewick is approximately 80 to 90 minutes. Every Saturday and Sunday in October Thompson’s Farm transforms into one of the Yakima Valley’s premier fall destinations featuring pumpkin cannons that launch pumpkins through the air, pig races that delight kids and adults alike, hayrides through the orchard, fresh homemade donuts made on-site, a challenging corn maze, and apples available for u-pick. visityakima Parking and admission are free and there is no charge to watch the pig races and pumpkin cannons. Hayrides, pumpkins, and pumpkin doughnuts can be purchased. yakimaherald What to Expect: Famous hourly pumpkin cannon demonstrations that launch pumpkins through the air Entertaining pig races that children and adults love equally Hayrides through the beautiful Naches orchard Fresh homemade pumpkin donuts made on-site U-pick pumpkin patch and apple orchard Challenging corn maze for older children and adults Farm market with local produce, canned goods, and gifts 5. Bill’s Berry Farm Pumpkin Festival Location: Grandview, WA Getting There From the Tri-Cities: Take I-82 west from Kennewick approximately 30 miles to the Grandview exit. Bill’s Berry Farm is located in Grandview making it a convenient mid-point stop on your Tri-Cities to Yakima Valley fall road trip along I-82. The Bills Berry Farm family wants to share the farm life fun at the largest fall farm festival in the Yakima Valley. Take a Hayride Shuttle from the Berry Park Farm Store to the Fall Park for squeeze-your-own-cider. Visit the pumpkin patch, wander a 6-acre barnyard mystery corn maze, and play in the giant farmland playground and little farmers play areas. visityakima What to Expect: The largest fall farm festival in the Yakima Valley Six-acre Barnyard Mystery Corn Maze for the entire family Squeeze-your-own-cider experience unique to Bill’s Berry Farm Hayride shuttle from the farm store to the fall park Giant farmland playground and little farmers play area for young children Pumpkin patch with u-pick options throughout the fall season Planning Your Tri-Cities to Yakima Valley Fall Road Trip Here are our top tips for planning the perfect Tri-Cities to Yakima Valley corn maze and pumpkin patch road trip this fall season: Plan Your Route The most logical road trip route follows I-82 west from the Tri-Cities toward Yakima making stops along the way at farms that are conveniently located near the highway. Starting in Pasco with Country Mercantile or Middleton Farms then continuing west through Grandview for Bill’s Berry Farm and finishing near Yakima at Union Gap Corn Maze or heading to Thompson’s Farm in Naches creates a natural and efficient fall road trip loop. Go on a Weekday If Possible Weekend days at popular Yakima Valley pumpkin patches and corn mazes near the Tri-Cities can become very busy especially during October when fall farm activity is at its peak. If your schedule allows visiting on a weekday provides shorter lines, easier parking, and a more relaxed experience at every farm stop along the route. Arrive Early Most farms open their pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the morning and the best pumpkin selection is always available early in the day before afternoon crowds arrive. Arriving early also ensures adequate time to visit multiple stops along the Tri-Cities to Yakima Valley road trip route without feeling rushed at any individual farm. Dress in Layers Eastern Washington fall temperatures can swing dramatically between warm sunny afternoons and cool breezy mornings along the I-82 corridor between the Tri-Cities and Yakima. Dressing in comfortable layers ensures every member of your family stays comfortable throughout a full day of fall farm activities along the Yakima Valley road trip route. Bring Cash Several farms along the Tri-Cities to Yakima Valley route prefer or require cash payment for specific activities including hayrides, pumpkin purchases, fresh donuts, and other farm market items. Bringing cash in addition to a credit or debit card ensures you can fully participate in every activity at every farm stop along the route. Check Websites and Social Media Before You Go Farm hours, activity availability, and special event dates change annually and can be affected by weather conditions and harvest timing throughout the fall season. Always check each farm’s official website or social media pages before your road trip departure to verify current hours, admission prices, and activity availability for your specific visit date. Make It a Full Day The Tri-Cities to Yakima Valley fall road trip is best enjoyed as a full day adventure rather than a rushed half-day outing. Allow adequate time at each farm stop to fully experience the corn mazes, pumpkin patches, hayrides, and other fall farm activities that make each destination unique and memorable for the whole family. Other Fall Activities Along the Route The Tri-Cities to Yakima Valley I-82 corridor offers several additional fall activities and attractions worth considering as part of your complete autumn road trip experience: Wine tasting at Yakima Valley and Horse Heaven Hills wineries along the I-82 corridor Apple and pear picking at u-pick orchards throughout the Yakima Valley Farm stands selling fresh local produce, cider, honey, and Yakima Valley specialty foods Scenic vineyard and orchard drives through the Horse Heaven Hills and Rattlesnake Hills Yakima Valley wine country exploration between Prosser, Sunnyside, and Grandview

The Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo brings talented competitors from throughout the Pacific Northwest to the Tri-Cities each year. During this year’s event, Bri Larios from Speck Dealerships had the opportunity to visit with breakaway roper Joclyn Arnold of Glenwood, Washington. Joclyn shared how she became involved in rodeo, what happens during a breakaway roping run, her advice for aspiring competitors, and what life on the rodeo circuit is really like. Joclyn Arnold: Born Into a Rodeo Family For Joclyn, rodeo has always been a family tradition. She grew up surrounded by the sport and developed a love for its competitive nature and the opportunity it gives her to work closely with her horses. “My family is big on rodeoing, so I was just kind of born into it,” Joclyn explained. “I love it because it’s competitive, I get to do it with my horses, and I just like all the parts of it.” What Happens During Breakaway Roping? Breakaway roping is a fast-paced event in which every fraction of a second matters. For spectators watching it for the first time, Joclyn offered a simple explanation of what to look for. The competitor begins by nodding her head to signal that she is ready. The calf is released, the rider follows and attempts to rope it, and the horse then comes to a stop. When the rope breaks away from the saddle horn, a flag signals the completion of the run. When Joclyn is waiting in the box for her turn, she tries to keep her approach simple. “I just take a deep breath and make sure everything is right,” she said. “Then I don’t really know what happens after that—I just do it.” Although the difference between winning and losing can come down to a fraction of a second, Joclyn does her best not to let the pressure take over. “I just try to go fast and let whatever happens, happen.” Competing Close to Home The Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo gives Joclyn the opportunity to compete in front of a large Tri-Cities crowd while remaining relatively close to home. “It’s huge,” she said. “There’s a lot of money here, and it’s good to be close to home.” Joclyn has also had a front-row seat to the rapid growth of women’s breakaway roping. She began competing as the event was gaining greater recognition and has enjoyed watching its popularity increase each year. “It’s been really cool,” Joclyn said. “I came up right when it started to get big, so I’ve been a part of it. Seeing it grow each year has been really cool.” Advice for Young Rodeo Competitors in Eastern Washington For young girls in Eastern Washington who want to participate in rodeo, Joclyn recommends finding experienced people who can help them develop the right skills. “I would find somebody who knows what they’re doing, go to clinics, and learn from somebody who knows what they’re doing,” she advised. Working with knowledgeable riders, trainers, and instructors can help young competitors build confidence while learning how to care for their horses and compete safely. A New Truck for the Rodeo Road Travel is a major part of rodeo life, which means competitors need a dependable vehicle capable of keeping up with a demanding schedule. Joclyn recently purchased a truck from Speck Chevrolet of Prosser after working with Johnny and the dealership team. “We had just started looking for a truck, and then we got ahold of Johnny,” Joclyn recalled. “I think I had a new truck within a week.” When Bri asked how she was enjoying the truck from Johnny Sloan at Speck Chevrolet of Prosser, Joclyn responded, “I love it. It’s been everywhere so far.” Rapid-Fire Questions with Joclyn Bri finished the interview with a few rapid-fire questions to help viewers get to know Joclyn beyond the arena. Favorite rodeo: Prineville Favorite rodeo food: Chicken strips Favorite road-trip snack: A cotton candy Alani and Nerds Gummy Clusters Boots or sneakers: Sneakers Favorite part of rodeo life: Making memories Toughest part of rodeo life: Getting everything to go right—and the expense Mountains or the beach: Mountains Sunrise or sunset: Both One thing that’s always in her rodeo bag: Baby powder Favorite part of the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo: The added money Ford, Chevy, GMC, or Ram: Ram Life on the rodeo circuit requires hard work, preparation, reliable horses, plenty of travel, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. For Joclyn, however, the memories she makes along the way make the challenges worthwhile. Speck Dealerships is proud to support the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo and the hardworking competitors who make it such an exciting Tri-Cities tradition. Thank you to Joclyn Arnold for taking the time to speak with us, and congratulations on being part of the continued growth of breakaway roping. Watch the Interview with Joclyn

For more than four decades, Roger Mooney has helped bring the excitement of professional rodeo to life. During the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo, Bri Larios of Speck Dealerships sat down with the longtime voice of the Horse Heaven Round-Up to learn how he became an announcer, what makes the Tri-Cities crowd special and what life is like after 42 years on the road. Roger also shared a few memorable mishaps from behind the microphone, explained why barrel racing and bull riding receive such big reactions and reflected on his admiration for Dolly Parton. Roger Mooney: A Career in Rodeo Announcing Roger’s career began unexpectedly in 1984 while he was a 17-year-old member of a college rodeo team. When an announcer suffered a heart attack, Roger was asked to step in and handle the announcing duties that night. That opportunity quickly turned into a career. “My freshman year in college, I did 40 rodeos,” Roger told Bri. “And 42 years later, I’m getting to stand next to you.” Since then, Roger has become one of the most recognizable voices in rodeo, traveling across the country and announcing hundreds of performances. The Preparation Behind Every Performance Rodeo announcing involves much more than simply describing the action in the arena. Roger explained that each performance requires hours of research and preparation. For an event like the Horse Heaven Round-Up, he prepares sponsor announcements, live and televised activations, contestant histories, livestock information and other details needed throughout the performance. Roger estimates that he spends between eight and 11 hours preparing for each show. That preparation also includes learning about the organizations and local sponsors that make the event possible, including Speck Dealerships. Life on the Road Although Roger says he has the best job in the world, the career comes with sacrifices. He spends more than 300 days each year traveling away from his family and three farms in Georgia. Because of that demanding schedule, Roger said he watched much of his children’s childhood through social media, videos and pictures. Still, he found a way to add his trademark humor to the subject. “I think they’re still there because I keep sending checks, and they keep cashing them,” he joked. “So evidently, everything’s okay at home.” When he isn’t traveling, Roger enjoys returning to his farm near Ellijay, Georgia. Instead of his usual cowboy hat, he may be found wearing a baseball cap—or no hat at all—while working on a tractor or relaxing by the pond with his son. What Makes the Tri-Cities Crowd Special? After returning to the Tri-Cities for approximately 30 years, Roger considers the area one of his homes away from home. Over the years, he has developed friendships and an extended rodeo family in the community. He compared the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo crowd to a rocket preparing for takeoff. “On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the fuse is lit,” he said. “By Friday and Saturday, we’re in the stratosphere.” Roger described the Horse Heaven Round-Up as the hottest ticket in the Tri-Cities, featuring “cowboys, cowgirls and you” along with plenty of broncs, bulls and rodeo excitement. Which Rodeo Events Get the Biggest Reaction? According to Roger, the Horse Heaven Round-Up offers something for fans of every age. From the opening ceremonies and displays of American pride to the speed and athleticism inside the arena, each part of the rodeo creates a different kind of excitement. He said Tri-Cities fans appear to especially enjoy barrel racing. “They love the girls, and they love the speed,” Roger explained. That excitement leads into bull riding, which typically provides one of the biggest reactions of the night. As Roger put it, once you experience bull riding, “you can get hooked on it.” Roger’s Admiration for Dolly Parton The conversation eventually turned to Dolly Parton, whose hometown region is only a couple of hours from Roger’s Georgia farm. Roger explained that his wife is from Nashville and recalled Dolly visiting her school to read to the children. He praised Dolly for her work providing books to children and families who otherwise might not have access to them. He also admired her humor, business success and ability to remain authentic throughout her career. Beyond her accomplishments as a singer and actress, Roger highlighted the many jobs and opportunities created through Dollywood and her other businesses. Most importantly, he said Dolly’s story demonstrates that a person’s beginnings do not have to determine their future. “It doesn’t matter where you start,” Roger said. “It’s where you finish that counts.” Celebrating Rodeo in the Tri-Cities From his unexpected start as a teenage announcer to becoming the longtime voice of the Horse Heaven Round-Up, Roger Mooney has spent more than 40 years entertaining rodeo fans across the country. His preparation, humor and genuine appreciation for the sport are part of what makes each performance memorable. For Roger, the Tri-Cities is more than another stop on his schedule, it's a community filled with longtime friends, familiar faces and rodeo fans who know how to make some noise. Speck Dealerships was proud to support the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo and spend a few minutes behind the microphone with Roger Mooney. Watch the Full Interview Want to hear more from Roger Mooney? Watch the full interview online to hear Roger share more stories from his 42-year announcing career, discuss what makes the Tri-Cities rodeo crowd special and reveal some of his funniest moments behind the microphone. You’ll also hear his memorable thoughts about Dolly Parton and the impact she has made throughout her life and career. Watch the Interview with Roger Mooney