WINSTON WEEKLY©[1]

September 21, 2025

Vol. 3, No. 38

PUMPKIN FUN[2]

With more than thirty family-friendly attractions, The Fun Farm in Kearney, Missouri includes a tractor pull to the pumpkin patch. In addition to picking your own pumpkins, there is a new walk-through pumpkin trail, Jacks in the Night. With themed displays, glowing lights, and spooky surprises, the trail is sure to delight.

Less than an hour from Kearney is Weston Red Barn Farm featuring “Fall into fun at the farm.” Ranked by Yelp in 2021 as one of the best pumpkin patches in America, the turn-of-the-century farm has hayrides to the pumpkin patch. Johnson Farms Plants & Pumpkins in Belton, Missouri has a retail store and a pumpkin patch. Managed by three generations, it will soon celebrate 25 years in business.

Half Moon Bay, California is known as the “World Pumpkin Capital.” With the Great Pumpkin Parade and the Annual Pumpkin Run, there is plenty to celebrate during the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. From October 18-19, numerous artisans share their talents, including famous pumpkin sculptor Farmer Mike.

Alabama is home to more than twenty pumpkin patches, including the Farmer in the Dell Pumpkin Patch in Auburn. More than eighty acres of U-pick pumpkins fields are maintained by Tate Farms in Meridianville, a farm with more than 6,000 acres.

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

Some questions to ponder: 1) How long do uncarved pumpkins last versus carved pumpkins?; 2) Do pumpkins last longer inside or out?; 3) Is it safe to eat a carved pumpkin, and if so, how?; and 4) If you could carve any pumpkin into your favorite animal, what would it be?

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[1] A Sunday newsletter and blog by Alysen Bayles to be shared with the appropriate attribute.

[2]Resources: www.funfarmpupkinpatch.com; www.westonredbarnfarm.com; www.hmbpumpkinfest.com; https://www.auburnpumpkinpatch.com; www.explorethesouth.org; Jill Esbaum, Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie, National Geographic Kids; https://www.jillesbaum.com.