Pumpkin Picking Season

Changala’s Pumpkin Patch opens to the public

Friday morning was an exciting time for the Changala family, who opened the gates of Changala’s Pumpkin Patch for the first day of the season at 11 a.m.

Liz Changala, who owns and operates the pumpkin patch with her husband Alan Changala, was eager to invite the community out to the pumpkin patch on Friday morning and said that Changala’s Pumpkin Patch will be open through Halloween night.

“I feel really good about this season,” said Changala. “I think people are ready to get out and have some fun. We’re ready to start off the fall. To me, October is the start of the fall season, so this is the prelude to fall and Thanksgiving and pumpkins, they all go hand in hand. I just want people to get out and have fun.”

In regards to the pandemic, and how the pumpkin patch will operate, Changala said that not much has changed this year. Children will

be allowed to play on the playground equipment and rides, new cut outs are available for photo opportunities and both the corn maze and milo maze will be open, although neither maze is “haunted” this year. There will be no corn pit this year, and all equipment and rides will be sanitized thoroughly throughout each day.

“The playground is open,” said Changala. “We’re going to let people play on our equipment. We will spray it with sanitizer. [Volunteers] will be at each station so they can spray the equipment. The cars on the train, we will go every other seat for the social distancing. We are trying to do everything we can, and that we know we need to do, to keep people safe. We put signs in front that people will read before they come in. There is a few employees that have medical reasons as to why they may not be wearing a mask, just to give people a heads up. If they see someone without a mask on, it’s not because we aren’t trying to adhere to the guidelines, [those employees] have legitimate reasons to not wear a mask. We are also making ports for hand sanitizing stations all around.”

In addition to offering play equipment, ride and mazes, Changala’s Pumpkin Patch is also offering pumpkins for purchase from their “you pick” pumpkin patch. The public is welcome to come walk through the vines and choose the pumpkin that is perfect for them. Changala’s Pumpkin Patch features pumpkins of all sizes, and range in price from 50 cents to $30. They will also have two pigs and two baby lambs out at the pumpkin patch for the families who visit to look at and pet.

Changala’s Pumpkin Patch will be open seven days a week through October 31. Monday through Friday, the pumpkin patch will open at 11 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.. Saturday and Sunday, the pumpkin patch will open at 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

“We are just praying for a nice, smooth year, and that everyone has fun,” said Changala. “Come and have fun. We want you to be here. We want you to be safe, and we want you to have fun.”

For more information on Changala’s Pumpkin Patch, please visit https://sites.google.com/ site/ changalapumpkinpatch/

RECORDER PHOTO BY ALEXIS ESPINOZA While there are lots of pumpkins ready to go, Changala’s Pumpkin Patch is still offering their “you pick” patch, allowing the community to rifle through the vines to find their perfect pumpkin for the fall season.

RECORDER PHOTO BY ALEXIS ESPINOZA Friday was opening day for Changala’s Pumpkin Patch, as they opened their gates to the public at 11 a.m. for the first time this year. The pumpkin patch will remain open through Halloween night.

RECORDER PHOTO BY ALEXIS ESPINOZA Pumpkins of every shape and size are available for purchase at Changala’s Pumpkin Patch, who opened their gates to the public for the first time this year on Friday morning.