GREEN COVE SPRINGS – As farmers, Justin and Kelly Mosley know one thing for certain: you can’t do anything about the weather.

Despite a gloomy forecast and persistent drizzle, the 14^th Amazing Grace Family Farm/Jacksonville Pumpkin Festival still attracted a better than expected first weekend crowd at their farm at 4251 State Road 21, about a mile south of State Road 16.

“When you’re a farmer and you do events, you learn to go with it,” Kelly said.

This year’s maze is a tribute to the couple’s daughter, Maggie. It celebrates her 18^th birthday and the family’s farming legacy.

“She’s the sixth generation to live on the family farm. And she’s a fourth-generation Blue Devil. She’s going to graduate from Clay [High] this spring, and we decided honor all she’s done, all she’s accomplished.”

The crop maze has become the biggest fall event in Clay County. Open on Fridays and Saturdays, and Monday, Oct. 12, during October, the event attracts thousands who come to enjoy a giant crop maze, pumpkin patch, bubble ball, farm animals, cow train, jump pad, games, photo opportunities, food trucks and corn crib – everything you love about fall.

A crop maze company from Utah carved abirthday tribute to Maggie. The Mosleys started developing the layout during the summer.

But it’s not the only fall and Halloween themed event in our area.

There are two fright trails – Nightmare Oaks in Melrose and The Pergamum Haunt and Escape Room in Orange Park – and a plethora of pumpkin patches.

“We need not try to act like we have been there,” is posted on Nightmare Oaks’ website. “Nightmare Oaks blends haunted attractions, professional scare actors, immersive environments and unforgettable moments into one terrifying night.

“Every scream becomes part of the legend. Every visitor leaves with a story.”

Open on Fridays and Saturdays in October from 7-10 p.m., tickets are available at nightmareoaks.com.

Pumpkins are being sold on the corner of most busy roadways, especially churches, including Fleming Island United Methodist Church, Black Creek and Asbury United Methodist Churches and Orange Park Methodist Church. There’s also a patch at Bristol Oaks in Melrose.

New at Amazing Grace this year is the addition of Jacksonville Pumpkin Festival to the title. It was suggested by a marketing company to attract more visitors from Northeast Florida, not just Clay County.

And while Kelly Mosley was pleasantly surprised by the turnout on Oct. 2. And with a forecast of more rain on Oct. 9-10, she said she won’t fret the details.

“My husband usually starts planting the [sorghum] crop maze in July, but with the drought, it was a challenge,” she said. “Now we’re getting rain on weekends. That’s why my husband always says if farming was easy, everyone would be doing it.”

Discounted tickets for Amazing Grace can be purchased for $17.95 at amazinggrace.com, and they're good for any day the farm is open. The price at the game is $24.95.