By Carol Fisher-Linn
Who has more fun than pumpkin lovers leading up to Halloween? Only kids from 0 to 99!
Lucky for us, we have a pumpkin patch beyond compare around the corner in Great Valley.
Every year seems to bring a new surprise to Pumpkinville in Great Valley, NY, making the newest year just a little bit different. And remember, it’s not just for kids! They have a beer garden and lots of food choices for the older visitors. You don’t need to bring kids to enjoy Pumpkinville!
Lisa Pawlowski, retired ECS educator and co-owner of Pumpkinville with her parents Dan and Diane Pawlowski and her brother Jim, shared her feelings about the newest version of Pumpkinville, now run by multiple generations of the Pawlowski family, “We are very excited about our new additions this year. Our brand-new Farmyard Friends factory has been a huge hit so far and we just love seeing our guests find a new stuffy friend [build-a-stuffed-pumpkin-character] to take home and love! Our beloved singing tractor, Mack, also gained a friend this year. She’s a pink singing tractor named Daisy who is singing duets with Mack all season. They make an adorable pair! “
Looking back fifty-eight years (1968) Pumpkinville was started by Joe and Helen Halloran as a simple pumpkin stand on the side of the road; over time it grew to an annual attraction with comical cut outs for photo-ops and small attractions added every year. That was the Pumpkinville my own children grew up loving and still have fond memories of. Thirty-one years ago, in 1995, Dan and Diane Pawlowski purchased Pumpkinville, moved to a larger nearby 225-acre farm and it grew like Topsy. So did their family, whose three generations now share in running the business. They have the distinction of running the oldest pumpkin farm in New York State.
From their website: “As a family-run farm, we work hard to make sure all of our visitors can have a fun, fall experience and make memories that last a lifetime! Our efforts have been recognized by the people of Western New York, who voted us Buffalo’s Best Pumpkin Patch.” … “featuring pumpkins, squash, gourds, and corn available for guests to pick and purchase. Our mission is to provide families a Great Day in Great Valley by providing a full day of seasonal activity to keep everyone in the family entertained.”
The vintage cider mill is still in operation (what’s fall without a fresh cup of cider?). Back in the day, I would sneak to Pumpkinville alone to buy gifts my children couldn’t live without that they had spotted at an earlier visit, buy my favorite pie and pumpkin donuts, maple syrup, and get my supply of NYS apples for the canning and baking I did in those long-ago days. Today, visitors can still come just to shop, without paying an entrance or parking fee.
Again, Lisa filled me in on the current situation: “During our Pumpkinville season, pies, donuts and other baked goods are available daily at Di’s Pies and Bakeshop right at Pumpkinville. The rest of the year, my mom, Diane, and I bake pies and assorted goodies every week and sell them in the Little Red Shop at the house next door to Pumpkinville. That’s self-serve and baked goods are available Friday – Sunday. There is never an admission charge to enter our front, farm market area of Pumpkinville. Visitors can feel free to come and shop, eat, take pictures in the pumpkins, and enjoy the atmosphere. The Farmyard Fun Area of the farm does require an admission (prices can be found at www.pumpkinville.com) and that admission includes all the activities in that area.”