Fortunately, pumpkin patches are not difficult to find in Texas, and by the time you read this, many of them are already open for business. Pumpkin patches mean service projects, traditional photo ops, fundraising and great ways to engage children in learning and growing. Giving children the freedom to roam and pick their own pumpkins gives them a sense of independence and pride, and, on farms, can provide a teaching opportunity about pumpkins, gourds and other things that grow on vines. Here are some good bets for some local Fall family fun.
SAN GABRIEL PRESBYTERIAN Church
5404 Williams Dr., Georgetown
October 5 @ 10am • Pumpkins arrive by truck and residents are invited to watch or help with the offload. The patch will be open for sales October 6 – 31. Hours are Monday–Saturday 10am–7pm and Sunday after church. Proceeds from the Pumpkin Patch benefit Scout programs, church activities and the Navajo nation that grows the pumpkins.
EXTRAS: Story time, Oct 11 and 25 from 9:30-11am. Family Fun Day, October 14 from 10am-2pm. This is a school holiday so families can enjoy hay and pony rides, activities, pumpkin painting, food trucks, archery and static displays from Scout programs.
First United Methodist Church
410 E. University Ave., Georgetown
October 9 @ 4pm • Pumpkins arrive by truck and residents are invited to watch or help with the offload. The patch will be open for sales October 10 – 31. Hours are Mon–Fri 1–7pm and Saturday-Sunday from 9am-7pm. Proceeds from the Pumpkin Patch benefit Children’s Ministries, Student Ministries, and Transformative Mission Ministries.
EXTRAS: They will also have Movie Night October 19 from 6:30-9pm in the parking lot. Popcorn, cotton candy, and lemonade will be served. Bring a blanket or chair for sitting.
Garey Park Hay Day 6450 Ranch to Market Rd 2243
October 12 from 1-4 pm • Pumpkins priced $2-6. Also features Family-friendly activities, a hayride. Entry fees are required, and most activities will include a fee. Hayrides, pony rides, brush tattoos, petting zoo, food and refreshments for sale; lawn games, photo station, vendors, and more.
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
14400 E. TX-29, Georgetown
Open every weekend and some evenings through November 3 • Free admission if you are shopping for pumpkins; priced by the pound or per-piece for minis. You can shop at the patch or pick your own right off the vine. Painting is free.
EXTRAS:The farm has more than 30 other activities every weekend, including zip lines, apple chunk and a hay and corn maze. Visit them on Facebook for special events and see our story on page 58.
Central Texas Olive Ranch
5251 FM 972, Georgetown
3rd Annual OliveFest, October 20 from 5-10pm • Free admission, bounce houses, raffles, live music, hayride orchard tours, crafts, beer and wine, food trucks, photo booth, pumpkin patch, pumpkin chunkin’, olive oil tastings and more. (Rain or shine)