Pumpkinville Opens For Its 53rd Season
Pumpkinville Opens For Its 53rd Season
“For 52 years, Pumpkinville has gone on without interruption,” said owner Dan Pawlowski. “We’re not going to stop now.”
The oldest continually operating pumpkin farm in New York state, Pumpkinville is an autumn destination, and the Pawlowski family is pleased to announce that they will indeed be open for their 53rd season Saturday, September 12th.
The decision to open this year was certainly not an easy one, nor was it made at the last minute. “You don’t plant pumpkins in August, and then figure it out,” Pawlowski chuckled. In fact, the Pawlowskis began planning long before western New York entered phase four of reopening. “We have to plant pumpkins in May, and that’s when things were really, really bad. It takes a lot of money to get to this point: We have to get our crops in the ground, plan our food products and order inventory. For a place like this, there’s a significant investment just to be COVID-compliant.”
This spring, the family thought that, at the very least, they may be able to squeeze cider, continue their outdoor food service, and offer take-out chicken barbecues and donuts. Pawlowski explained, “We made the decision to go ahead and plant and see where it went! We’re blessed that we are able to open this year to a limited capacity.”
Visitors can enjoy the same full menu of food, activities and produce as in years past, with just a few changes. Due to social distancing requirements, there will be no helicopter rides this year. However, visitors can enjoy free activities such as the train play area, Kiddie Spookum Barn, Perky the Talking Pumpkin, the farm animals and more. Ticketed activities include the apple blasters (open at 3:00pm), the cow train, hayrides, corn maze, Pumpkin Patch Fun Zone and the jump pillow. Chicken barbecues and kettle corn will be available on weekends only. As always, admission and parking are free.
On weekdays, Pumpkinville is operating in its traditional format: Guests can enter the farm market and food area and purchase wristbands to participate in the Farmyard Fun area. On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), wristbands should be purchased online in advance to guarantee entry to the Farmyard Fun Area.
“If you have a set date in mind, go online and get your reservations - that way, you’re sure to gain entry,” Pawlowski recommended. Tickets for all activities, including those for weekdays and weekends, are available at pumpkinville.com. “Early in the season, you shouldn’t have any problems just walking in and getting into the Farmyard,” said Pawlowski. “As we get later in the season, and especially during big weekends like Columbus Day, it’s going to be much busier and you’ll want to reserve online.”
All visitors and employees are required to wear face masks at all times. Sanitizing stations are set up throughout the farm. Pawlowski added, “We’ve been working with local authorities and Cattaraugus County has been wonderful to work with, as well as many other local people who have helped us plan for our opening. We’re sanitizing continually, and we are working very, very diligently. We don’t take this lightly.”
For many, it’s not fall without a visit to Pumpkinville, and this year’s experience certainly won’t disappoint. “We’ve got 30 acres worth of pumpkins,” said Pawlowski “We have a really nice crop. They’re a little short on size because of our summer drought, but it’s a great selection. The corn maze has come in beautifully, and that’s a wonderfully socially-distanced activity!”
Pumpkinville is open daily Sept. 12th through Halloween from 9:00am-7:00pm (closes at 5:00pm on Oct. 31st). For more information, call Pumpkinville at 716-699-2205 or find them on the web at www.pumpkinville.com and on Facebook.