October 26, 2023 – Each season comes with its own holidays. With each holiday, we have the opportunity to participate in different activities. Christmas time bring Christmas Tree Lane, Candy Cane Lane, Christmas tree farms, going out for hot cocoa and pictures with Santa. Easter brings Easter Egg Hunts, photo ops with the Easter Bunny and family get togethers. Harvest/Halloween time, October, is no different. It’s no longer a one-day event of trick-or-treating. There are opportunities for fun the entire month long.
From October 1st through the 31st there are pumpkin patches that have popped up around the city. In the Clovis area, there are enough that you can enjoy a “pumpkin crawl” with your loved ones and the little ones especially enjoy these fun and inviting venues.
One can start after 5pm and head southeast to 5019 N Gaynor Ave, Clovis, CA 93619 cross streets are Shaw and McCall, in the Loma Vista neighborhood. As you turn onto Gaynor Ave you know you must be in the right place when you see the candy corn traffic cones and several cars parked in a row near a sign that says Entrance.
A cute scarecrow and some corn stalks mark the way to the dirt path that is decorated with tree lights, a cute bench with pumpkins near a tractor and other festive Halloween them décor.
Harvest Patch Pumpkin Patch is owned by Ryan and Christine Houlihan. Christine said it was Ryan’s dream to open a pumpkin patch. They started small on the side of their house four years ago. Each year they see it grow and love to see the community come out and enjoy what they have to offer.
When visiting this cute little farm, you notice that small farm feeling, charm and sense of community. There is something for everyone here. Pony rides, a corn maze, many photo ops, including a photo booth where you can get fun printed pictures, and pumpkin smashing, you can purchase a pumpkin and smash it!
Those shopaholics will not be disappointed by the adorable little boutique filled with treasures from different local artists. Inside this little barn-like building there are fun knitted hats, handmade earrings and bracelets, t-shirts, keychains and more. This is the second year they have had the boutique.
There is no entrance fee, and the pumpkins are reasonably priced.
Kayleigh Patterson of Hollister, CA was there visiting her friend Katie Couch, new to Clovis also from Hollister. Couch said, “I heard about it from a friend who said it was a cute little pumpkin patch, very welcoming and family run.” Patterson said, “we don’t hang out much, so this was just something fun to do.”
Next on the crawl is Wild Patch Pumpkins, on Bullard near Villa Ave: 225 W. Bullard Ave. Clovis, CA. Nolon Doss and Chase Cullins have been open for four years now. They were growing pistachios and prunes and got the idea to grow pumpkins and start a pumpkin patch. Doss said they enjoy seeing all the kids come and see how excited they are, and many of them come dressed up in the costumes. Cullins said, “We are happy to be a part of the community, we host school field trips and deliver to schools and daycares.” They have a variety of pumpkins, a hay maze, an impressive pumpkin wall and many photo ops throughout the farm. On the weekends they have food trucks and the lineup can be found on their Instagram page. @wildpatchpumpkins
They are open Monday through Friday 4 to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 9pm.
Sweet Thistle Farms and Planet Pumpkin can also be part of your pumpkin crawl.
Sweet Thistle Farms: 5365 Mendocino Ave, Clovis, CA 93619 Cross Streets, Academy and Shaw Ave. Open Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm
Planet Pumpkin is located near First Street and Nees Avenue: 720 E Nees Ave, Fresno, CA 93720 open Sunday 10am to 4pm and Monday through Saturday 10am to 10pm.