It’s officially Fall and Miami Lakes United Methodist Church’s 17th annual Pumpkin Patch will open on October 3 with three truckloads of pumpkins scheduled to arrive on October 3, 10 and 22.
There will be 2,000 pumpkins in each truckload and the patch will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Pumpkins of all sizes will be available for purchase along with decorative gourds of all shapes and related retail items. Students needing volunteer hours are invited to help unload the pumpkins by calling 305-821-7274, or emailing pr@miamilakesumc.net.
Following is the list of events and special activities during October at the Pumpkin Patch:
Flanigan’s Dinner and Illusion Show will be on Saturday, October 11. Because the event is so popular, the organizers have scheduled two dinner seatings, one at 5 p.m. and the other after the show at 7:30 p.m. The Illusion Show is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Ticket purchases cover the show and dinner. Advance purchase price is $12 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $6 for children (ages 12 and under). Dinner/show tickets purchased at the door will cost $14 for adults and $7 for children. Admission for the show only is $7 at the door. Tickets are available at the Pumpkin Patch retail counter or by visiting the church office or calling 305-821-7274.
Picnic-in-the-Patch, Pumpkin Carving Contest and Bonfire are scheduled for Saturday, October 18, beginning at 5 p.m. with the carving contest and prizes. The bonfire follows with s’mores and acoustical guitar music. Guests may bring their own food or purchase a hamburger or hotdog with drinks and chips also available. Bring a blanket but guests are asked to leave alcoholic beverages at home.
Outdoor Movie Nights will be Saturday, October 4, Fridays, October 10 and 17, and Saturday, October 25 at 7 p.m. The movies are free. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.
Craft Show will be held Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The organizers are expecting 50 participating crafters with items available for early gift shopping. Crafters may download the application at www.miamilakesumc.net.
Fall Festival (with extended hours) will be Saturday, October 25 from 2 to 7 p.m. Event will feature a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, games and prizes, a maze, music by the church’s praise band, and followed by a movie at 7 p.m. Admission to the Festival, Craft Show and movie is free. Tickets will be on sale for the activities and food and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
School Field Trips will be held every weekday morning from 9 a.m. to noon beginning Monday, October 6, and running through Friday, October 15. Children can enjoy the new obstacle course along with jokes, songs, science experiments and activities to entertain and educate children up through 4th grade. Cost is $6 per child and includes all the interactive activities, songs, refreshments, a little pumpkin for each child, a goodie bag including a coin for a kid’s meal at any Flanigan’s restaurant, and a group photo for the classroom. Call 305-821-7274 to schedule the trip.
Photo Opportunities. Admission to the Pumpkin Patch is free. Donations are always welcome and needed to help maintain the Patch.
Festival Parking. The Town of Miami Lakes has offered its parking lot at the Government Center, 6601 Main Street, for overflow parking. Attendees are asked to use the overflow lot if no parking is available at the church property. Organizers are asking guests to be considerate and safe and do not park on neighbors’ lawns or jump the curb on N.W. 67 Avenue.
For more information, call 395-821-7274.