Pumpkin patches offer fall fun

Due to the extreme summer heat that continues to shine in Fresno, Fall has not yet caught up in the valley. Yet, this doesn’t stop local pumpkin sellers to set up for the season. Multiple locations and grocery stores around Fresno have already begun selling pumpkins.

Several patches in Fresno not only sell pumpkins but also feature thrill rides, kettle corn and pony rides. The valley offers a variety of options for buying pumpkins whether it be at a city location or on a farm. Family friendly picking location, Hillcrest Farms in Reedley, draws in crowds with their unique train rides and pick-it-yourself pumpkins.

Originally acting as a Christmas tree farm, Hillcrest was first created in 1960 by Ed and Bonnie Toews. The tree farm has been the oldest farm in the San Joaquin Valley. Over the years the farm has expanded to sell pumpkins during the Fall with train and tractor ride tours around the property.

As the holidays near, the farm has hustled and bustled because of the growing crowds every year. Organic charm and kid friendly rides have brought in many people across the valley to buy pumpkins. The variety of pumpkin prices range from $5-55. Gourds, tigers, fairy tales and many more assortments of pumpkins are for sale. Every weekend in Oct. to Nov. 1 Hillcrest will be open; entry admission and parking are free.

When my family buys pumpkins we buy them from our local grocery store. We used to have a tradition every October where we would visit a pumpkin patch. With the pumpkins we bought we would carve them into funny faces and them aside as decoration. — Chloe Soto, ’17

Chloe Soto, ’17, enjoys setting up for fall by carving pumpkins with her family.

“When my family buys pumpkins we buy them from our local grocery store,” Soto said. “We used to have a tradition every October where we would visit a pumpkin patch. With the pumpkins we bought we would carve them into funny faces and set them aside as decorations.”

Another popular location is at the Pumpkin King patch. For the entire month of October the patch is open for business. It gives families a chance to spend time together and create long lasting memories as they search for the perfect pumpkin.

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For the past 25 years, the month of October has brought a sense of excitement to those aware of the patch on Blackstone and Shaw. Admission is always free, and tickets are available to be purchased for the activities set up.

At the entrance, the aroma of hay bales and kettle corn greet you. A tent pitched up sells pumpkins sold from all different colors, shapes and sizes. This patch provides plenty of pumpkins to choose from and the supply is always full.

Anthony Diaz, ’19, talks about his experience at a pumpkin patch when he was younger.

“When I was younger my family and I would head out to the middle of a farm in Firebaugh,” Diaz said. “We would get in a horse drawn wagon and be pulled through the patch while we picked out our pumpkins. We took the pumpkins home all excited and carved faces in them and baked the seeds.”

Activities like a hay bale maze, inflatable slide, pony rides and an immense pumpkin bounce house are some of the attractions open to the public. Tickets must be purchased for each activity. The patch is open all week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Caleb Calderon,’16, shares about his favorite memories of fall at pumpkin patches.

“When I went to the pumpkin patch there was more to do than just pick out pumpkins,” Calderon said. “There was a boxcar you could walk through, and little monsters would jump out at you. I was scared, but I went through it anyway. I went on a hayride, which was fun, and finally chose a pumpkin.”

These writers can be reached via Twitter: @_ElizabethAnn16 and @JennyPenny8835 and via email: Elizabeth Baker and Jenny King.

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