At this point, there are few times I feel the need to leave the island. However, every October I find myself venturing over the bridge to find a pumpkin patch. Not this year! While the Holiday Tree Farm got a rough roll of the dice (seriously, where did those storms come from?), the “Flower Lady”- Shanel Albert, is determined to bring the spooky spirit to Coronado this October.
Shanel gushes that her family is “obsessed with Halloween and Christmas.” She echoes the thoughts of many locals when she points out, “there is not a lot to do in Coronado. This would be a great tradition for everyone!” Shanel is designing the event to be inclusive, from toddlers to teens to adults of any age. She jokes that her husband warned her not to make it too scary for the little ones. She plans to decorate the tree next to the Ferry Landing compass and inside the pumpkin patch will be a perfect photo op. The vibes you can expect are a classic pumpkin patch look with a pop of Halloween. Sure to be a crowd pleaser, Shanel is planning a “custom, cool wooden carnival ticket booth with lights.”
Coronado Pumpkin Patch will have everything you think it should: over the top decorations, games for all ages, refreshments, and of course, costumes! Shanel says that her favorite part of Halloween is, “all the costumes and the kids dressing up. We are planning a costume contest and have reached out to PAWS about having their annual pet costume contest at the Pumpkin Patch.”
Games will be available by token and promise fun prizes. There will be Slime Stations, Pumpkin Decorating, Face Painting, Balloon Art and the Corn Box (literally swim in a jumbo box of corn kernels)! Also at the ‘Patch will be fresh popcorn and cotton candy. Shanel alludes to other treats being available as well but is keeping the details a surprise. Additionally, Friday through Sundays during the Pumpkin Patch run there will be face painting, balloon animals, and live entertainment.
So, how does one go about such a big endeavor? Especially after the heart shattering outcome of the Christmas Tree Farm? According to Shanel, the Pumpkin Patch idea was formulated last year and the Ferry Landing is excited about it. “We have been working on this every day; I have read a lot of articles and I want to make it really special and really unique.” The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, “people are excited. They really like the convenience of having a pumpkin patch here.”
Part of that convenience is making use of your Concert in the Park wagon and using it to load up pumpkins. Shanel assures there will be pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors. If a wagon isn’t at your disposal, Coronado Pumpkin Patch will have their own jumbo wagon to help customers get picked pumpkins into the car.
The Albert family sets an amazing example to the town, just because there are setbacks doesn’t mean you step away from your dreams. While the Coronado Tree Farm this year is still TBD, they share that they can’t wait to see the big orange pumpkin beauties lighting up your porches!
Coronado Pumpkin Patch will be open daily from October 17th – 31st
Located at the Coronado Ferry Landing
Visit Coronado Pumpkin Patch Website here.
