Anastasia Roberts, with the help of her parents James and Kylie Roberts, appears to have picked out a pumpkin as big as she is at the Hydro Harvest Pumpkin Patch on Saturday. The Pumpkin Patch is open to the public and free for visits and for photo opportunities. Mitch Traphagen photos.
The eighth annual Hydro Harvest Pumpkin Patch has opened for the season. There is no charge to visit and browse through the patch, or to take photos of little ones among the pumpkins, hay bales and Halloween decorations at the farm, located at 1101 East Shell Point Road in Ruskin.
The owners of Hydro Harvest Farms, John and Terrie Lawson, are also inviting the community to the Boo Fest, a Halloween party to be held at the farm Saturday, Oct. 25, from 12 to 3 p.m.
“The Halloween party is for all ages but is geared more towards younger kids with events such as face painting and pumpkin decorating,” said John Lawson. “We’ll have pumpkin races. We always like to do something that involves agriculture, giving kids a plant to take home to grow. Also, each child will receive a small pumpkin of their own.”
And, like the Pumpkin Patch, there is no charge for the Halloween party.
“The biggest thing that we’d like to point out is that it is free,” Lawson said. “Free for families and the community. It’s a nice time for families, and we’ll have our food truck there.”
“The kids love the Pumpkin Patch,” Terrie Lawson added. “It’s open every day and it’s free. You don’t have to pay for parking, entry or anything.”
Of course, there are plenty of large, beautiful pumpkins for sale.
Hydro Harvest Farms has a long history of community involvement in supporting free events and education in agriculture. Coming up in a few short months, Santa will make yet another return to the farm. Also, the Hallmark Channel is scheduled to be onsite on Dec. 6 and 7 and again on Dec. 13 and 14.
For more information, visit www.hydroharvestfarms.com
or call 813-645-6574.
