- July 26, 2024
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It’s officially the season of flannels, pumpkin spice, all things spooky and, here in Florida, dreaming of cooler weather. Although the greater Central Florida area boasts an array of farm-based pumpkin patches and fall festivals, you don’t have to look farther out from southwest Orange County. Whether you’re looking for the perfect backdrop for your fall family photos or in search of the perfect pumpkin to carve for your front doorstep, you’re sure to find plenty of options in your own backyard.
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church is known for hosting family-friendly holiday and seasonal celebrations — from the annual Easter egg hunt to its upcoming fall festival — but it also offers a pumpkin patch for a good cause.
Located at 4851 S. Apopka Vineland Road, the pumpkin patch opened Oct. 11 and will run daily through Oct. 26. The patch features a variety of pumpkins, from the classic carving or miniature pumpkins to a range of winter squashes and gourds.
The pumpkin patch will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The only exception to these hours is on Sunday, Oct. 21, when the patch will close at 6 p.m.
Prices will range from $1 to $30 depending on choice and size of pumpkin, and all proceeds go to support St. Luke’s Youth Ministries.
In addition to the patch, St. Luke’s also is hosting a free “Trunks, Treats, and More” event from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Children and families can enjoy trunk-or-treating, food, entertainment, a costume contest for children, carnival-style and blow-up games, a mechanical bull and more. Participants are encouraged to bring canned goods to help provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need. A list of needed items can be found at st.lukes.org/trunks.
For more information on the pumpkin patch or other events hosted by St. Luke’s UMC, visit st.lukes.org.
One of the highlights of the year for WUCP families and the Windermere community is the preschool’s pumpkin patch and Fall Fun Day.
The WUCP pumpkin patch will be open daily from Friday, Oct. 19 through Tuesday, Oct. 30 — or until the school runs out of pumpkins. Hours may vary depending on the day. Please check with WUCP for daily hours by calling (407) 909-0464.
The annual Fall Fun Day will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25. Families can enjoy bounce houses, slides, an obstacle course, pony rides, face painting, vendors, food and drinks and, of course, the pumpkin patch.
Food will be cash only and provided by Kona Ice, Dog Haus and Taco Company. Tickets and wristbands can be pre-purchased from the preschool office or at the event. For more information, visit windermereunionchurchpreschool.com.
Bring the whole family to choose this year’s pumpkins. Walk up and down the rows of pumpkins for sale, take family photos and come back on Halloween night to enjoy Lifebridge’s annual fall festival.
Lifebridge’s pumpkin patch is open daily through Halloween night, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. The patch will be open through 9 p.m. on Oct. 31. The patch has plenty of photo spots and props, story time, coloring pages and more.
Additionally, the church’s fall festival takes place on Halloween night, starting at 6 p.m. The community is encouraged to come to the event, which offers food trucks, trunk-or-treating, rides, games, costume contest and more.
To volunteer at the patch or for more information, visit lifebridgechurch.org/events.
