AS FAMILIES ENTERED the haunted house at Dell’Osso Family Farm — some fearful and some excited — 11-year-old Sha’Day Danis ran back out the entrance with her mother after a big scare.
“Do not go to the cage,” Sha’Day warned fellow visitors as her mother broke into laughter.
A few yards away from the haunted house, Colin Nguyen stood atop one of two towers in the middle of a corn maze.
The 14-year-old watched fellow maze visitors navigate the labyrinth. Nguyen said he visited the farm every year as a child. “It is very nostalgic for me, coming back to the farm,” he said.
The Dell’Osso family has welcomed the public to visit their farm in Lathrop to take part in fall festivities every day of the week in October.
The 120-acre farm is outfitted with a corn maze, haunted house, tiny town, slide hill, mini golf and more. The Halloween costume store is a new addition this year. Nearly 200,000 people visit the farm every year.
The farm started in 1920 when three brothers, who moved from Italy, started growing asparagus in the area, said Susan Dell’Osso. Her husband, Ron, is a third-generation owner of the farm.
Maggie Barron goes down the Slide Hill with her son Daniel Gonzalez, 3, at Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop on Oct. 14, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Children play at the Pumpkin Tree at Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop on Oct. 14, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Abraham “Abby” Amaral performs Dell’Osso Tiny Town’s Presentation of Colors at Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop on Oct. 14, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Dell’Osso Tiny Town’s marching band takes part in the parade at Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop on Oct. 14, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Visitors check out Dell’Osso Tiny Town at Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Ciana Bustillos, 3, plays with toys at a mini grocery market at the Tiny Town at Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop on Oct. 14, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Wilson G. plays mini golf at Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
The corn maze remains one of the most popular attractions at Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop. The 120-acre farm opened to the public 27 years ago and draws about 200,000 guests annually. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
The Dell’Osso Express train takes visitors for a ride around the Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
A group heads up to the observation tower to navigate their way out of the corn maze at Dell’Osso Family Farm in Lathrop on Oct. 14, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
“In 1997, my husband and I opened the farm to the public, and this is our 27th year,” Susan Dell’Osso said.
Originally, the farm had a corn maze and a hayride alongside pumpkins that Ron Dell’Osso grew.
“What I love the best is seeing families who came here 27 years ago, and now they’re bringing their kids back,” Susan Dell’Osso said. “We have lots of multiple generations that have come through.”
The farm is open every day through Oct. 31, Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Harika Maddala is a photojournalist based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. They are a Report for America corps member and a CatchLight Local Fellow.
