By Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
Crystal Hamm might not have found the Great Pumpkin told of in Charles Schultz’s comic strip but she did sell a few 20-pound pumpkins on Oct. 1.
This is the second year Hamm has opened her pumpkin patch to the public and she hopes to see it grow in years to come. “Last year was not so busy but this year has had a steady stream of people.”
Originally from Abbotsford, B.C., Hamm explained how family and friends would get together and compare pumpkins and enjoy some fresh apple cider. “It’s my favorite time of year, and even though Alberta’s fall doesn’t last as long, it’s still fun to enjoy.”’
Hamm has made this an experience for the whole family. Before seeing the pumpkins, a tractor-driven wagon takes families on a tour of the property and eventually to the pumpkin patch. Children could try their luck at pumpkin bowling — the only rule was to make sure the pumpkin knocked over all the pins — and families could catch a photo opportunity with a height gauge to compare with next year.
Hamm said the only thing she really wanted was an apple orchard, which she is working on. “Just need to get the apples to grow and I’m set.”
There were four varieties of pumpkins available; goosebumps (aka warty pumpkins), jamboree, aspen and orange smoothie, both good for carving your scariest jack-o-lantern. Hamm said there are many types of pumpkins but she likes the jamboree best for cooking.
No pumpkin patch is complete without a treat to go with it and Hamm did not disappoint. Homemade pumpkin doughnuts and ginger cookies were for sale and you could wash it down with a free cup of coffee.