Fall into family-friendly fun at Gladden Farms
Get ready for a season of pumpkin carving, mutton bustin’ and scary good times!
A fall paradise
As the crisp air rolls in, there’s nothing quite like the small-town charm that makes Gladden Farms feel so special. Nestled in the heart of Marana’s tight-knit community, our residents enjoy easy access to the many festive, fun activities held in town each fall, delivering cozy scenes straight out of Gilmore Girls steps from home.
Start marking your calendars to make the most of the cool weather with this year’s roundup of nearby events for all ages!
Celebrate our heritage at Marana’s Fall Festival
One hundred years ago, the arrival of autumn in Marana meant it was time for the harvest.
Today, it means it’s time for the Marana Fall Festival!
This cherished annual event brings the community together to celebrate the town’s rich heritage and the season’s beautiful weather. Held in Gladden Farms at the picturesque Heritage River Park, this festival blends Marana’s small-town culture, both new and old.
Head to Heritage River Park on Saturday, October 12 between 2 – 9 p.m. to enjoy:
- Carnival rides
- A mutton bustin’ contest
- Live country music & dance performances
- Screening of Disney’s “Haunted Mansion”
- A sunflower field with photo opportunities and crafts
- Pumpkin carving, Spooky Garden Walk and Fortune Teller
- A beer garden, food trucks & vendors
- Dog adoptions
- Food donation stations for the Marana Food Bank
The festival’s vibrant colors and lively energy perfectly complement the park’s natural beauty, creating a picture-perfect backdrop. Where else can you embrace the spirit of the Old West combined with all things autumn in a fun, family-friendly setting?
Gear up for game day at Arizona Stadium
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a home football game on a sunny autumn day. Football season is here, and Gladden Farms is just a short drive from Arizona Stadium, where the University of Arizona football team plays in the Big 12 Conference.
Purchase tickets starting from $9 to enjoy tailgates and team spirit. After the game, celebrate a Wildcat win at the many nearby restaurants with great eats and cold drinks.
2024 University of Arizona home game schedule:
- Sep. 7 — vs. Northern Arizona
- Oct. 5 — vs. Texas Tech (Military Appreciation Game)
- Oct. 19 — vs. Colorado (Homecoming)
- Oct. 26 — vs. West Virginia (Family Weekend)
- Nov. 15 — vs. Houston (Community Day)
- Nov. 30 — vs. Arizona State
“I like that Marana has a smaller town feel. We’re close enough to Tucson that we can go to the things we want, but we’re not trapped in the bigness of Tucson.”
— Cassie H.
Gladden Farms Resident
Get your pumpkin fix at Marana Pumpkin Patch
There’s no excuse to sit at home all weekend when the Marana Pumpkin Patch offers 50 acres of homegrown pumpkins and fun family activities just down the road!
Famously, the patch is home to the beloved Marana Corn Maze, which is carefully grown in unique patterns each year that tie back to Marana’s agricultural heritage.
Visitors can enjoy a jumping pillow, diesel train and farm playland, plus carnival rides, farm animals and pig races. Perfect for either a family outing or a wholesome date, visitors are welcome to purchase their pumpkin finds to take home and cook or carve!
But beware…once the sun goes down on Saturday evenings, the Marana Corn Maze is visited by ghostly guests — and the haunted corn maze is not for those faint of heart. Embark on your autumn adventure between October 5-27.
Join the spooky fun at the Gladden Farms Trunk or Treat
Join us on Saturday, October 26th, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at Paws ‘N Claws Park, our community’s newest and largest park, for an evening of Halloween fun! Dress up, collect your sweets and marvel at the creative, spooky car decorations our residents have crafted for trick-or-treating fun.
Plus, we’re partnering with the award-winning Children’s Entrepreneur Market, offering young vendors the chance to run their own booths, sell their own products and learn valuable skills in entrepreneurship. It’s a night of trick-or-treating, creativity and innovation — all in one!
Want to be part of the fun? Sign up with our spectacular Gladden Farms Community Association to host a vehicle and register your young entrepreneur for vendor space at ChildrensEntrepreneurMarket.com!
About Gladden Farms
Looking for a new construction home in Tucson? Nestled in the heart of North Marana, Gladden Farms is a vibrant, family-friendly community voted one of the best in Arizona. Residents enjoy parks, playgrounds, a splash pad, walking trails and a direct connection to the Huckelberry Loop for 130+ miles of cycling and outdoor exploration. With nearby shopping, dining and quick access to I-10 for an easy commute, Gladden Farms perfectly blends modern convenience with small-town charm. Find your new home today in a community built to grow with you.