PICKING PUMPKINS

Picking Pumpkins at FCAC’s 15th annual Pumpkin Patch

By Darien Hardy

IT’S FALL Y’ALL. Leaves are changing colors, temperatures are finally starting to drop and the First City Art Center (FCAC) is hosting its 15th Annual Glass and Ceramic Pumpkin Patch. Many locals have come to agree that one cannot be a true Pensacolian without being the proud owner of at least one of these beautiful and locallymade glass-blown pumpkins.

The FCAC Pumpkin Patch will be making its return to the Blue Wahoos Stadium on Saturday, October 9. This year, there will be two ticketed entry times available for ‘first pick’ of the Pumpkin Patch, providing guests with early access to the best selection of pumpkins and allowing for more social distancing.

The first entry time will be at 11 am. Tickets for the 11 am entry are $30 and are designated for FCAC members only. The second ticketed entry-time will be at 12 pm. First pick tickets for the 12 pm entry time are $40 for non-members and $30 for FCAC members. After that, doors will open to the general public at no cost from 2 pm until 6 pm, or until pumpkins are sold out.

The Blue Wahoos Stadium concessions and bar will be open during the event serving up drinks and refreshments for guests to enjoy. The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority will also be on-site with their water truck to provide guests with free water. Event organizers ask that guests bring no outside food or drink items into the stadium during the event. In accordance with venue rules and regulations, dogs are not permitted inside the stadium and strollers, wagons or carts will not be allowed on the field.

Also participating in this year’s festivities will be Manna Food Pantries, who will be on-site collecting non-perishable food donations to help support their mission of fighting hunger in our community. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate at the event. In addition, anyone who brings a full bag of food donations to the event will receive a complimentary raffle ticket for a chance to win an exclusive FCAC swag bag. A selection of glass pumpkins at First City Art Center.

WHERE: The Blue Wahoos Stadium WHEN: Sat., Oct. 9

11 AM ENTRY

$30 (FCAC members only)

12 PM ENTRY

$40 for nonmembers, $30 for FCAC members

2 PM–6 PM

Open to general public, no cost for entry

firstcityart.org for more info.

This year, attendees will have thousands of hand-blown glass and handcrafted ceramic pumpkins to choose from. Pumpkin prices start at $20 and they come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Each of the pumpkins featured in the patch were created by members of FCAC’s glass and pottery guilds. Proceeds from this event directly support FCAC as a non-profit center for the arts offering affordable art education and outreach programs. Each pumpkin purchase helps support more than 40 local artists.

Masks and social distancing are strongly encouraged. Staff and event volunteers will have masks and hand sanitizer available for attendees at the event. FCAC staff and volunteers will be following current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and local mandates regarding COVID-19 to ensure the safety of our community.

For tickets and complete event details, visit firstcityart.org or follow @firstcityartcenter on Facebook and Instagram. •

There is something special about Pensacola in the Fall—crisp blue skies, white sandy beaches, coastal breezes, and cool evening strolls through our historic downtown. Additionally, each fall, Foo Foo Festival layers on arts, cultural, culinary, historical and environmental experiences for the enjoyment of locals and tourists alike. Join in, and experience it all during Foo Foo Fest this fall!