THE TRADITIONS LIBRARY
Visiting a Pumpkin Patch
Some pumpkins are perfectly round. Others are tall, lopsided, speckled, or small enough to carry in one hand. Part of the fun is deciding which one should come home.
A visit to a pumpkin patch can be a simple outing or a longer afternoon at a local farm. Families and friends wander among the pumpkins, make their selections, and enjoy a little time together as the season changes.
The pumpkins might become jack-o’-lanterns, decorations, or ingredients for a favourite recipe. The outing itself can become something to look forward to each autumn.
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The Traditions Library
0057
CATEGORY
Autumn
FREQUENCY
Seasonally
AGES
All Ages
COST
Flexible
The Story Behind It
Pumpkins have a long history as a food grown in the Americas, but the family outing to choose one does not have a single known beginning.
For many people, visiting a pumpkin patch has become a way to mark the harvest season and connect the pumpkins they bring home with the places where they grow. Some return to the same farm each year, while others choose a different place or pick their pumpkins up closer to home.
Over time, an ordinary seasonal errand can become a tradition of its own: the familiar drive, the search for the right pumpkin, and the photograph taken before everyone heads home.
What You'll Need
• A pumpkin patch, farm, market, or other place to find pumpkins.
• Comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the weather.
• A budget for admission or pumpkins, if applicable.
Check the farm’s hours, prices, and accessibility before visiting. Some locations have uneven or muddy ground, and activities vary from place to place.
Make It Your Own
Give everyone a different pumpkin to find: the smallest, the bumpiest, the roundest, or one with an especially interesting stem. You could vote on names for your pumpkins or take a photograph together before heading home.
If a farm visit isn’t practical, choose pumpkins at a local market or grocery store, grow one at home, or enjoy an autumn walk and look for pumpkins displayed around your neighbourhood.
You might pair the outing with a warm drink, a favourite seasonal snack, or a stop at a familiar place. The tradition can be as simple as choosing one pumpkin together each year.
How It’s Done
Choose a pumpkin patch or farm to visit during the autumn season. Walk through the available pumpkins and take your time looking at their different shapes, colours, and sizes.
Each person might choose a pumpkin, or the group can look for one to share. Some farms offer other seasonal activities, while others keep the visit focused on picking pumpkins.
Once home, decide what to do with your selections. You might display them, carve them, or choose an edible variety for cooking.