Celebrating 30 Years of Pumpkins | Video

Michelle San Miguel | 10/20/2012

It`s an unusually warm October day, marking the end of another season at Papa`s Pumpkin Patch. But around here there`s only one way to describe the season.

"My son has been saying pumpkin time. Pumpkin time all week long so finally getting some nice weather- just blessed to have such a wonderful day, the last day to be here," said Betsy Ziegler, who came to the patch with her family.

From zip lines to Papa`s popular hay bale mazes, Papa says the patch is for children of all ages.

"I think exactly what happens is adults can come out here and feel not childish but childlike," said Dave Pearce, co-owner of the patch.

"I like to go on the hay and like get dirty," said Chloe Vigio, who was visiting the patch from Dickinson.

"The kids love it and it`s a great atmosphere and all the hay bales and it`s just beautiful," said Beth Tschetter, who was also visiting from Dickinson.

What began as a happy accident for Papa has turned into visits from families from across the state and out-of-towners from Washington and Florida. Even though Papa is now celebrating a 30 year milestone, he says the sun has not yet set on the patch.

"There will come a day when we`re gonna want to retire, but I also know that Papa`s Pumpkin Patch has become a tradition for many families," Pearce said. "Just as fast as I think about well, wouldn`t it be nice to just sort of fold our hands and say `Amen` I think no but I have four or five ideas for next year already."

It`s welcome news to eager parents and kids as they count down the days to another season at the patch.

The pumpkin patch ran out of pumpkins on Saturday afternoon, after selling more than 30,000 of them this season.

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