Pumpkins, mums, games, food and autumn decorations – anything a person could want to celebrate the beginning of fall will be at this year’s Pumpkin Patch, sponsored by the Richmond Hill Garden Club.
The Richmond Hill Garden Club’s 18th annual Pumpkin Patch will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 6 in the JF Gregory Park Pavilion. Admission is free, and dollar tickets can be purchased at the event and used to play games, buy food or have faces painted.
The Pumpkin Patch is the garden club’s annual fundraiser that allows it to complete its many community projects, including maintaining landscaping at its garden in Henderson Park, the Richmond Hill Public Library and other spots in town; distributing 1,5000 daffodil bulbs during the Christmas parade; purchasing gardening and nature books for the Richmond Hill Library; donating to local charities, such as the Way Station; and providing a $1,000 scholarship for a deserving senior at Richmond Hill High School.
The event features many games, including two bean bag toss games – one for the little ones, and one for older kids who try to hit that giant pumpkin mouth. As always, there will be the Fish Pond, Ring the Pumpkin and Pick-a-Pumpkin games. Recent smash hits from previous years, like Pumpkin Wheel of Fortune, Ghost Darts and Creepy Feels, will return also.
Lisa McCann, professional face painter and garden club member, and her interns will offer face painting. And photo opportunities abound, so Halloween costumes are encouraged. The Pumpkin Fairy will be there carrying her magic wand, distributing lollipops to youngsters and posing for pictures.
Huge jack-o-lantern pumpkins and lots of small pumpkins just the right size for youngsters will be waiting in the Pumpkin Patch, nestled among giant mums and straw bales. Come early for the best selection.
There will also be lots of indoor and outdoor decorative items for sale, including wreaths, signs, baskets, centerpieces and more. Pumpkins, decorative items, and bales of straw can be purchased for cash.
The Green Thumb Kids booth will return this year, distributing all sorts of plants to youngsters, most grown by garden club members. Kids will be able to select a free plant, get some planting advice and take their selection home to nurture it.
Plenty of baked goods will also be available, including cakes, cookies, muffin and special Halloween-themed items. Food items require 1 ticket each or can be purchased for cash.
