“Unfortunately, it’s been moist,” understated Rotarian Paul Skeels, whose band was offering live entertainment. “But there’s still some hearty souls out.”Face painting, Buckaroo Pony Rides, Sunflower Forest, hay rides, mini-train and Hay Pyramid drew visitors from as far away as Bakersfield, as attested to by Rotarian Barbara Beach, who said a family told her they had made the long drive “just to visit and shop at the patch and then go home.”A shopper closer to home, 2-year-old Anthony Montiel of Santa Paula, excitedly said he “got a pumpkin,” a statement backed up by his grandmother Linda Skeels.Rotarian Andy Vansciver oversaw an exercise for Santa Paula Police Explorers, who were conducting a faux search for a lost child that included exploration of the Sunflower Forest - wet and muddy duty.The results of the Pumpkin Chucker - more commonly known as a catapult - filled a narrow stretch of field with the splattered remains of about 30 pumpkins. Rotarian Chris Wilson, who built the contraption, said the ultimate “dream machine” - a favorite weapon of war in the Middle Ages - would have more bells and whistles that would lengthen the throwing capabilities.“You want to try that little one?” Wilson asked a young boy. “Remember, those little ones tend to be a line-drive... they shoot down.”Rotarian Maria Bombara said Pumpkin Patch attendance more than tripled on Sunday “when we had absolutely gorgeous, perfect weather... people who came out were very pleased, the Country Store is adorable.” People are enjoying the Pumpkin Patch: The Recipe Collection cookbooks, available for sale, and the natural beauty of the outdoors setting accentuated by the displays of squashes, fruits and vegetables ready to be taken home.This year the Pumpkin Patch has also introduced T-shirts, tote bags and caps with the distinctive logo for sale, and the opportunity to hold a birthday party on site, the perfect gift for your little pumpkin. “On Saturday we had a family from Burbank celebrate a birthday here, and they had a wonderful time!” said Bombara.Pumpkin Patch & Harvest Festival - open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - is ready to entertain visitors October 11 and 12, 18 and 19, and 25 and 26 at Faulkner Farm, 14292 W. Telegraph Road at Briggs Road, safely accessible from Highway 126. For more information and directions, call 888-522-1884 or go to www.faulknerfarmpumpkinpatch.com.
Rotary Pumpkin Patch opens
October 10, 2008
Santa Paula News
Rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of those attending the opening day of the Pumpkin Patch & Harvest Festival at Faulkner Farm, where the Rotary Club and supporters ensured the second annual event was the perfect place to bring your little pumpkins.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesRain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of those attending the opening day of the Pumpkin Patch & Harvest Festival at Faulkner Farm, where the Rotary Club and supporters ensured the second annual event was the perfect place to bring your little pumpkins.Rotarians Mike Hause and Peter Fallini were front and center at the historic farm on Saturday’s opening day, where the gate - as well as the skies - opened to greet visitors. “To be a ticket seller you have to be the president of a community bank,” noted Fallini, joshing Hause, the head of Santa Clara Valley Bank.Volunteers from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Upper Ojai Search & Rescue were directing cars, just one of the groups out in support of the Rotary sponsored Pumpkin Patch.“If it’s going to rain you have it happen on the first day,” which, noted Rotarian Nils Rueckert, historically sees the lowest attendance of the month-long event.“Mushy is good a soft opening,” joked Patch Co-Chair Otto Schimmel.Rotarian Gary Nasalroad said that, in spite of the weather, “It’s been a semi-steady flow of people. We can’t beat them off,” even with the at times heavy rain.Schimmel said many know the Rotary Pumpkin Patch’s $2 general admission is the “best value patch in Ventura County.... It’s a real destination point,” as demonstrated by the Burbank family holding a birthday celebration, a new component to the event introduced this year.Incoming Rotary President Pam Lindsay said the Pumpkin Patch also represents a “joint community effort,” with youth groups and service clubs and organizations helping out and raising funds that benefit their particular programs and projects.Timber Canyon Ranches was offering organic fruit laid out in orderly, colorful rows, while Jennifer Heighton, in charge of Mary and Mike Shore’s mini-farmer’s market also sold salsas and Santa Paula Art Museum calendars. “I used to come to the Pumpkin Patch when I was a kid,” Heighton noted as she looked around. “I still love the patch, there’s nothing else like it.”
