Find your perfect pumpkin

Posted on October 3, 2016 By Editor Our Community

Youth from Ortega United Methodist Church get ready to unload pumpkins for their annual patch. Front: Gilly McKendree, Lindsey Bullock, Savannah Williams, Barley Hilpert and Lee Bullock, back: Charlie Hendrix, Bryce Williams, Shane Williams, Pressley Hendrix and Wheeler Handford

For more than 20 years, youth at Ortega United Methodist Church have hosted a pumpkin patch, providing area residents with fall décor and photo opportunities. This year they hope to break a record in sales, bringing in two full truckloads of pumpkins in all sizes.

The first load, weighing 43,000 lbs., was delivered Sept. 24. More than 60 youth and adults from OUMC and Ortega First Baptist unloaded nearly 4,500 pumpkins in three hours. According to the truck driver, it took a full day to load the pumpkins at the farm in Texline, Texas.

“This patch has been going on for over 20 years, and there are a lot of memories of pictures taken in the past,” said Shane Williams, OUMC director of youth ministry. “It is neat to hear parents come up and say ‘I remember when I was little we took a picture right there.’”

The annual youth-sponsored pumpkin patch at Ortega United Methodist Church continues through Oct. 31. Patch hours are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 16, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. beginning Oct. 17; Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.