As the sun dips earlier each evening and the breeze turns crisp across the Westside, the towns of Gustine, Newman, and Patterson come alive with the comforting sights and sounds of fall. From pumpkins to hot cocoa, from laughter echoing through corn mazes to the glow of Trunk-or-Treat lights downtown, autumn has its own heartbeat here — one that brings generations together.

Fantozzi Farms: Where Every Turn is a Memory Waiting to Happen

Just off Sperry Avenue in Patterson, Fantozzi Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch has become the heartbeat of the Westside’s fall adventures. Families pile into cars every weekend, kids clutching blankets and parents armed with hot cider, ready to make another memory among the tall, golden stalks.

This year’s maze is bigger than ever, featuring hidden checkpoints, farm-themed games, and a special tribute design showcasing Save Mart and their Valley connection

Beyond the maze, the farm buzzes with activity — pig races, hayrides, a jumping pillow, and a petting zoo where kids meet friendly goats and alpacas.

For the Gomez family of Gustine, the corn maze has been an annual outing since their oldest daughter was in kindergarten. “It’s the one thing the kids never grow out of,” said mom Melissa Gomez, smiling as her two teens compared who got lost worse last year. “We make it a competition — whoever finishes first gets to pick the biggest pumpkin for our porch.”

Down another row, the Singh family was loading up pumpkins into their wheelbarrow after a long morning of maze adventures. For them, the farm represents community. “We moved to Patterson from Turlock a few years ago, and this place helped us feel connected,” said Priya Singh, holding her youngest’s hand. “You see your neighbors, your kids’ classmates, everyone enjoying the same simple joy. It reminds you what small-town life is all about.”

Her husband Raj smiled, “Our son calls it ‘the farm of fun,’ and honestly, he’s right.”

For Adam and Claire Johnson, newlyweds from Newman, Fantozzi Farms is more than a family outing — it’s a date night. “We started dating here back in 2019,” Claire shared. “We were supposed to just grab pumpkins, but we ended up getting lost in the maze for hours and didn’t even care.”

Adam nodded, laughing. “Now we come back every fall to ‘get lost’ again — it’s our little tradition. The smell of kettle corn, the sound of the kids laughing, the lights at dusk… it feels like home.”

From hayrides and pig races to the evening glow of the maze lights, Fantozzi Farms continues to be the gathering place for generations — a spot where love, family, and laughter grow side by side.

Westside’s Trunk-or-Treat: Where Community Shines Brighter Than Any Costume

The City of Newman is gearing up for a festive evening of Halloween fun with its annual “Trunk or Treat” celebration on Friday, October 31. From 5 to 7 p.m., families can enjoy candy-filled car trunks and creative displays in Downtown Newman Plaza, located at Main & Fresno and Main & Tulare Streets. Food vendors will keep the party going until 9 p.m., making it a full night of community cheer.

Hosted by the city and supported by the Newman crows Landing Unified School District, the afterschool program Beyond the Bell, First 5 Stanislaus and the Center for Human Services, the event invites local businesses and residents to participate by submitting vendor or trunk applications by October 15 to amendoza@cityofnewman.com. It’s a safe, spirited way for Newman to celebrate Halloween together.

Meanwhile, in downtown Gustine, the city’s annual Trunk-or-Treat event transforms Main Street into a safe, candy-filled celebration that feels like something straight out of a storybook.

Families line up in colorful costumes — superheroes, dinosaurs, tiny ghosts — while local businesses decorate their trunks with cobwebs, lights, and smiling pumpkins. The laughter is contagious, and the glow of orange string lights wraps the night in magic.

“This is what small-town life is all about,” said Samantha and Juan Rivera, parents of two. “We know nearly every car we stop at. People cheer for the kids by name. It’s not just about candy — it’s about connection.”

Organized by the Gustine Recreation Department, this year’s Trunk-or-Treat will include themed contests, a live DJ, and plenty of local treats from favorite shops. For many, it’s the highlight of the season — a place where memories are made one smile at a time.

Pumpkins, Cocoa, and Scary Stories: A Newman Couple’s Autumn Tradition

For Frank and Linda DeSilva of Newman, fall means something a little slower, but no less magical. Married for over fifty years, the couple still cherish the traditions they began when their kids were young — long before corn mazes and costume contests were the norm.

“We used to visit our friend Joe’s farm outside of town,” Frank recalled with a grin. “He’d tell us to come by after he finished picking, and we’d take the kids to find their own pumpkins right out of the field. We’d sit on the truck bed, drink cocoa, and stay up late telling scary stories in the backyard.”

Linda laughed softly, remembering how their youngest once swore he saw a ghost near the old barn. “We didn’t have fancy events back then, but somehow it felt like magic anyway,” she said. “Now, when we see families going to the corn maze or trick-or-treating downtown, we think — that’s what it’s all about. Keeping the spirit of fall alive for the next generation.”

A Season of Simple Joys

Whether it’s the thrill of solving a maze, the warmth of hot chocolate under string lights, or the quiet laughter of family stories shared in the backyard, fall on the Westside continues to remind residents what really matters — togetherness.

As Frank DeSilva put it best: “The leaves may fall, but the memories never fade.”