NORTH CAROLINA, USA — Fall is in the air and seasonal festivities are in full swing across the Carolinas, including Patterson Farm Market and Tours in Rowan County, where families enjoyed the pumpkin patch, corn maze and hayrides this weekend.
It’s a tradition for Robert Carney to visit with his family.
“The leaves are changing so everything is gorgeous outside,” Carney said. “Especially when you come to a place like this. You are literally at a farm and are surrounded by trees.”
He drove in with his loved ones from Cornelius.
“Our family has been coming out here for years now," Carney said. "Since before he was born and he's 4 now."
Michelle Patterson, the director of fun at Patterson Farm, said agriculture is a big industry in Rowan County. The farm offers educational tours that let people see exactly where their food comes from.
A team of around 70 people has been busy for weeks giving tours at the farm. Fall is their busiest time of year, and those seasonal activities are giving a big boost to the bottom line for the local economy.
“When people come here they are buying gas, they are supporting local restaurants and other attractions while they are in the community," Patterson said.
“They are spending to be a part of this but also the food, the pumpkins and all of those different things,” Carney said. “I’m sure it has a phenomenal impact not only on Patterson farms but also on the community itself.”
According to Visit North Carolina, 22% of all North Carolina overnight visitors visit during the fall. Nearly 30% of day-trippers make their way to the state during autumn.
Regionally, the mountains welcome nearly 27% of their total overnight visitors in the fall.
The agency also found that visitors to the mountain region also spend more money than any other season. Those visitors also have a longer length of stay. It breakdown to an average of $850 per party who visit in the fall and an average stay of 3.9 nights.
Melissa Cuff is the Director of Sales for Homewood Suites by Hilton in Davidson. She said the weather is just right for people to explore the town.
“The town of Davidson has a beautiful main street,” Cuff said. “So just going to the farmers market in the fall, walking around with a cup of coffee from one of the local shops and getting lunch. You feel like you're on the set of a movie as beautiful fall leaves are falling on me right now.”
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is also bringing in more foot traffic and she said the extra bookings are welcomed.
“People make a weekend staycation out of it, they come from an hour, two hours away, just being in a different setting,” said Cuff. “We're excited to have that business, you know, flowing in, throughout the week and then booming on the weekends.”
The fall, a season Carney said is worth celebrating.
“What a great way to showcase this part of North Carolina, Rowan County and the greater Lake Norman area,” he expressed.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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