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Jonah McFarland, 4, enjoys a trip to the Sequim Pumpkin Patch.
A trip to the Sequim Pumpkin Patch has become an autumn tradition for many North Olympic Peninsula families. The farm offers plenty of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, corn and straw mazes, pony rides, hayrides, the famous “pumpkin shoot,” a haunted house and even a few tasty treats.
Autumn in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley doesn’t truly arrive until you pack family and friends in the car for a trip to the Sequim Pumpkin Patch.
The farm, located at the corner of U.S. Highway 101 and Kitchen-Dick Road, has been providing a family-oriented autumn experience for 12 years.
“We want people to come out to enjoy the farm,” said Theresa Lassila, who owns and operates the farm established by her parents Phil and Linda Lassila. “Each year we hope the public will enjoy a day or two at the farm to support our efforts and keep the farm open for years to come.”
The farm is open daily at 9 a.m. through Oct. 31. Closing time depends on customers, but Sundays through Thursdays the gate normally closes at 7 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays the patch is open later, closing between 10 p.m. and midnight.
Farm admission is free, but there are fees for some activities.
“Activities at the farm are very family friendly,” said farm manager Amanda Lawton. “Children can also learn that pumpkins are not grown in stores and can select a pumpkin out of the field it was grown in.”
Pumpkins cost 40 cents per pound.
The farm’s pumpkins were started from seeds in greenhouses in the spring and once planted in the fields were carefully tended to.
“It was a rough year for growing pumpkins, the weather was not very cooperative,” Lawton said. “But we still have plenty of pumpkins to choose from.”
People can pluck a pumpkin from a field or pick up one at the General Store.
The “ghost” pumpkin, named for its unusual white coloring is always a favorite.
The Cinderella pumpkin, a French heirloom variety that resembles the pumpkin that Cinderella’s fairy godmother transformed into a carriage, remains popular with farm visitors. Cinderella pumpkins are prized for their decorative shape, but also make tasty pies.
The patch has plenty of Sugar Pie pumpkins, which are sought by pie makers. The thin-skinned pumpkin features a sweeter flesh and finer grain than other pumpkins making it a baker’s favorite.
A new addition to the pumpkin lineup at the farm is a red warty squash pumpkin that features a crinkly, wart-like appearance and can turn bright red when exposed to the proper amount of sunlight.
Plenty of squash and small decorative pumpkins can be found in the General Store.
A favorite activity at the farm is the corn maze. Admission to the maze is $5 for children 12 and younger, and $10 for ages 13 and older.
This year the maze is shaped like a giant jack-o’-lantern and will feature a variety of characters including a few from the “Wizard of Oz,” Lassila said.
The maze is open Friday and Saturday nights for those seeking a challenge. It is open daily for people who want to negotiate its pathways in daylight hours.
Entry to the children’s straw maze is $5, parents can accompany children for free.
Pony rides, available Saturdays and Sundays, cost $5, and a hayride around the farm costs $2.
The famous pumpkin shoot — where visitors can launch three small, hard pumpkins from a catapult with the goal of having them land in a barrel in the field — costs $5. If a pumpkin lands in the barrel, the shooter is awarded $100.
People are encouraged to take photos of their family enjoying the farm scenery and of the animals — pigs, chickens and rabbits — who call the farm home.
A handful of food to feed chickens costs 25 cents and provides easy entertainment.
A small petting zoo will also feature bunnies and guinea pigs.
Food is available, including corn on the cob for $2 and kettle corn for $5.
Caramel apples will also be available for purchase.
Coffee, cider, hot chocolate and lemonade cost $2.
The farm’s haunted house, designed by Eric Lawton, has been added on to and is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in October, with a $3 per person entry fee.
For more information or to plan field trips or parties at the farm, phone Lassila at 360-461-0940.
How to find the perfect pumpkin to carve
Shortly after arriving at the Sequim Pumpkin Patch people are met with a tough decision. Which pumpkin should they choose to create this year’s jack-o’-lantern?
The farm features so many pumpkins to choose from that it can be overwhelming. One of the best ways to locate the perfect pumpkin is to stroll around the farm to decide the shape, size and color you would like for your autumn centerpiece this year.
Once in the field, when you spot a pumpkin you like take a moment to consider what type of carving you want to do and how much space you have on your porch, deck or stoop.
Here are just a few guidelines to help select a great pumpkin to carve:
<<< Pick a pumpkin that feels firm and heavy for its size.
<<< Turn the pumpkin over and carefully place slight pressure on the bottom with your thumbs. If it flexes or gives, select a firmer pumpkin to carve.
<<< Choose a pumpkin with a solidly attached stem. A green stem indicates a freshly harvested pumpkin.
<<< Place your pumpkin on a flat surface to make sure it will sit flat after being carved.
If you do not find that “perfect” pumpkin in the farm’s fields, head to the General Store.
Pumpkins of all types are lined up on the porch, in front of the store and in almost every available open space.
If you need help deciding, ask one of the farm’s workers for ideas. They are experts at helping folks locate great pumpkins for every carving project.
