Going Pickin' in the Pumpkin Patch

Brady Mansmann searched the grounds at the Tuesday looking for the perfect pumpkin. The 5-year-old found one, then two, before leaving the church steps to search for more, withhis mother, Casey Mansmann of , trailing behind.

It’s a familiar sight that church volunteers have grown accustomed to during October, when the pumpkin fundraiser attracts young and old in search of the perfect Halloween pumpkin. From parents with children to nursery schools, the pumpkin patch sees its fair share of visitors every year.

"The community really supports the church and the pumpkin sale,” said Pat Ferguson, a church volunteer. “People expect it.”

Ferguson said as far back as she can remember the church has held the pumpkin sale every year.

The first batch was delivered on Saturday from an Indian reservation in New Mexico. A second delivery is expected on Oct. 15.

Mansmann said a number of volunteers gather together at the corner of Broad and Thorn streets and pass the pumpkins like an assembly line. She said the pumpkins help support the church’s missions, with a percentage going to the church and another to the reservation. 

“It’s a win-win for everybody.”

The cost ranges from 50 cents for a small gourd up to $20 or more for the larger pumpkins.

Mansmann said the large pumpkins offer the best value because the price is based on size, not weight.

The pumpkin patch is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 on Sundays.

The church also runs a haunted house in the church basement during the last two weekends of the month.

Anyone who spends $30 will receive a free haunted house ticket to visit the haunted house from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 21, 22, 28 or 29. Admission to the haunted house is $5 in advance and $7 at the door.