Community gathers at school pumpkin patch

Copy by Fabiola Carrizosa

Pierce College has ample space for an outdoor Halloween event. There is room to set up strings of lights, a speaker system to play Kids Bop tunes and wood chips to make the place smell like fall. Throw in rides, animals and Halloween things and the scene is set.

Seasonal Adventures Inc. is hosting a pumpkin patch and a family friendly Halloween experience on the northwest corner of Pierce daily until Oct. 31. There are more than seven

Halloween-themed inflatables, including obstacle courses and slides.

Young children can have a thrill in one of the carnival rides, including the flying chairs.

The pumpkin patch has a variety of sizes and shapes of pumpkins for purchase by the pound. Wheelbarrows are provided to roll them straight to one’s car.

There is plenty of open space to walk or to relax on a picnic table or haystack.

Another attraction is the petting zoo, which includes goats, ducks, rabbits, pigs and chickens. There are food pellets available for purchase to feed the animals.

There is no overtly scary imagery or attractions at the pumpkin patch, making it suitable for families and people of all ages.

“Here, it's more like a happy Halloween more than a scary Halloween,” said Jeff Curran, one of the lot managers for the event. “It’s colorful, it’s cheerful, it’s cute instead of scary.”

Tara Hardy, originally from Philadelphia, visited the pumpkin patch on Sunday, Oct. 9. Hardy said that the lights brought her and her family out to the Halloween experience.

“The best part of it so far is the inflatables,” Hardy said.

Another attendee, Magi Alvarez, brought her 6-year-old niece to the Halloween adventure.

“My sister is visiting from Arizona, and we are just trying to show her a good time,” Alvarez said. “It’s her first pumpkin patch event.”

Middle school aged crowds came out to the event, such as Emily Garcia, who enjoyed the fun quality time with her group.

“It was more fun than I expected,” Garcia said. “I thought it was just going to be pumpkins. It was fun that we got to jump in the jumpers.”

Parking is ample and coordinated by parking attendants.

Another attendee, Sam Tabares, recently moved to the neighborhood and had a good time at the pumpkin patch.

“We usually go on little walks at night, and we saw the set-up,” Tabares said. “I was like we should go check that out, and it was really fun.”

Curran said that it is his first year hosting the event.

“It’s really rewarding to see it all just come from nothing and then turn it into all this with the lights and the colors and the pumpkins.” fcarrizosa.roundupnews@gmail.com

There is no cover for entry. Tickets are available for purchase to ride the attractions. Pets are not allowed. There is limited food and drinks for purchase.