By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Offering family fun and pumpkin picking for the season, Pa's Pumpkin Patch in Hays is open for the rest of October.
Pa's Pumpkin Patch, owned by Jeff Copper, is a seasonal agritourism destination at 978 250th Ave. with family-friendly activities.
Brett and Amy Denham have managed Pa's Pumpkin Patch during the fall season for three years.
"It's a long distance to get to any other pumpkin patches. We want to serve our community and have something affordable where you can go out and have fun as a family," Brett said.
The pumpkin patch is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays.
Weekend admission is $7 per person, while family nights, Tuesdays, is $15 per family.
The pumpkin patch operates for five weekends each season, beginning on the last Saturday of September and continuing through Halloween.
Activities at the patch include hayrack rides, a corn maze, train rides, an RC track course, interactions with alpacas and goats, and photo booths.
"We've got several different photo booths set up. We know moms like getting family pictures," Brett said.
The pumpkin patch also features a fire pit for making s'mores and other concessions.
Brett said Copper is the "Pa" behind Pa's Pumpkin Patch, as he and his grandkids take charge of planting and caring for the pumpkins.
Brett said this year's growing season was a great success, with their largest pumpkin weighing 108 pounds.
"This is the best pumpkin season we've ever had with the amount of pumpkins and size. They are big and healthy," he said. "We didn't do anything different. We were blessed this year."
Large pumpkins are 50 cents per pound, and smaller pumpkins and gourds are also available.
Pa's Pumpkin Patch hosts field trips throughout the fall for schools, including special needs students. These trips allow students to explore and learn about agriculture.
Brett said Pa's Pumpkin Patch supports agritourism by offering local, affordable pumpkins paired with outdoor fun.
"We want to bring joy to families through our agriculture by spending time outside, growing pumpkins and learning about pumpkins," Brett said.
You can follow Pa's Pumpkin Patch on Facebook.
