A grand and celebrated community tradition continues this fall as the 21st Annual Brooksville Pumpkin Patch returns on Sept. 29!
“It’s been 21 years of serving the community,” said Jessica Longoria, coordinator of the Brooksville Pumpkin Patch. “That’s who we do this for every year.”
This year’s Pumpkin Patch will kick off for week one on Friday, Sept. 29, 6 to 9 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 30, 9 am – 4 pm, and on Sun., Oct. 1, 11 am–4 pm, at 475 North Ave., Brooksville. The event runs five weekends in total and will culminate on Oct. 29.
“As always, we’ll have free parking and free entry,” said Longoria. “We’ll have lots of food trucks, with 10 or more food vendors, local craft vendors and artists, and kid’s activities like pony rides and petting zoos. Live music will be performed by The Mudds Jazz and Blues Band.”
Band member Betsy Mudd prepared this statement to promote The Mudds’ performance at the Pumpkin Patch. “The Mudds return this year to play live Music at the 21st Annual Brooksville Pumpkin Patch on opening day, Sept. 30th, and last day, Oct. 28. They start at 1 pm! The Mudds Jazz & Blues Band is a local favorite husband-and-wife duo. Sam Mudd sings and plays electric guitar, and Betsy is on electric bass,” she wrote. “They play toe-tapping soulful jazz and blues originals and tunes from the masters of roots music. Even though they hail from Inverness, Florida, and perform all over Central and North Florida, you may think you’re in New Orleans. Don’t miss them and all the great fun!”
And, as it happens, just a few pumpkins will be available as well. Indeed, as always, Navajo people from New Mexico will grow and sell the patch plethora in Brooksville. “We’ll have 1,000 pumpkins available every weekend, priced anywhere from 50 cents to $25,” said Longoria. “We keep the prices low.”
As a bonus, some very special messengers will be on hand—and paw—to personally deliver pumpkins to buyers’ cars.
“We’re raising funds this year for the Newfoundland Rescue of Florida,” she said. “And at the patch, Newfoundland dogs will be guiding carts to carry people’s pumpkins to their cars.”
Another event highlight will be the Trunk or Treat, which will take place in the patch parking lot Sunday, Oct. 29th, from 1:30-3 p.m. Most participating vendors will have candy available also on that day. Other Patch programs this year will include 21 free pumpkin giveaways, inflatables and face painting, photo ops, and a Costume Contest from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22.
And, Longoria emphasizes, all of the regular charitable events generally conducted at Christ Lutheran Church, the host site of the Pumpkin Patch, including the God’s Clothes Closet clothing ministry and free breakfasts and dinners, will take place at their regularly scheduled days and times throughout the Pumpkin Patch event.
“Throughout the Pumpkin Patch event, the community has grown with us,” said Longoria. “Parents brought their babies the first few years, to get their photos taken inside the pumpkins. Now those babies are all grown up, bringing their babies to the Pumpkin Patch.”
For more information about the Brooksville Pumpkin Patch, visit https://www.facebook.com/brooksvillepumpkinpatch
[Photo provided by Jessica Longoria]
