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The great Pumpkinland: Vernon Center patch a popular destination
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Johnathan Gidfer, 14, has been the pumpkin train engineer for three years. Matt Johnston
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Some families have several generations that have visited Pumpkinland. Matt Johnston
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One of the Pumpkinland attractions is a petting zoo. Matt Johnston
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It’s that time of year again. The air is crisp, the sky is that special shade of autumnal blue, and the pumpkins are bright orange — the signal Halloween is just around the corner.
For many people in the area, this season wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Pumpkinland. Located on Highway 169 near Vernon Center, Pumpkinland has been a fall destination for area families for generations. Virtually all the visitors on a recent weekend afternoon had at least one child, and often several more, along for the experience.
“This is a tradition for me,” said Christina Sticha, of Mankato. “I lived in the Cities when I was growing up, and we used to come down to Pumpkinland every year when I was a kid. Now I’m bringing my son, Alec.”
Other visitors roaming among the attractions repeated a similar theme. One grandmother remembered bringing her own kids to Pumpkinland every October. Her children have grown up, and she now brings her grandkids. Erin and Chazz Roberts, of Mankato, brought their children, Anthony and Ashton, for some fun on the warm autumn afternoon.
“We were looking for something to do so we brought the kids here,” said Erin.
Attractions include the hay maze and rides on the pumpkin train and covered wagon. Pumpkinland also has a make-and-take craft area for children, a barn with animatronic animals and another barn with the real thing that doubles as a petting zoo. There is an area where young children can ride small tractor/tricycles around a course marked out with pumpkins and an inflatable bounce station shaped like a castle for kids of all ages.
The youthful engineer of the pumpkin train, Johnathan Gidfer, has been on the job for three years. The 14-year-old said he enjoys driving the train and looks forward to Halloween every year.
“It’s a lot of fun out here. Especially when the weather is nice.”
Other Pumpkinland workers agree with him. Nathan Williams has also worked at Pumpkinland for three years in just about all of the attractions.
“I go where I’m needed. It’s a good place to be right now. People are always having a good time.”
Picking out just the right pumpkin is possibly the most important part of any visit to Pumpkinland and might be the highlight of the trip. Over in the pumpkin patch, one small boy was observed running from pumpkin to pumpkin, abandoning each one in favor of a larger model, while his younger brother refused to be swayed from the tiny pumpkin he chose instead of the bigger — and easier to carve — pumpkin his father was promoting.
In addition to pumpkins and gourds, Pumpkinland also offers a variety of vegetables for sale. In the gift shop there are toys, candles and other knickknacks. Stationed behind the cashier was Carrie Barott, who reported that business has been “adequate” so far this season. The rainy, cold days in the early part of the month limited visitors, but things have picked up since the weather dried out.
During the week, Pumpkinland is a popular destination for area grade school field trips. Larry Barott, who has owned Pumpkinland since 2000, said the weekends are filled with families who are searching for the perfect pumpkin or simply a nice way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
The week before Halloween will be filled with all the traditional offerings of Pumpkinland. With a plentiful pumpkin crop this year, there are plenty left for picking.
If You Go
What: Pumpkinland
Where: 13824 U.S. Hwy. 169, Vernon Center
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $8 for adults and $3 for children
More information: 507-549-3313
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