The scent of crisp autumn air and fresh pumpkins lingered in the air as the elementary visited the First United Methodist Church’s pumpkin patch. Students in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade learned about pumpkins, read a story and played different games.
Pre-K teacher Janet Kinsey said the students spent almost an hour at the pumpkin patch.
“Fun was had by all,” Kinsey said. “We learned about fall and how pumpkins grow. It was nice to see all of the varieties of pumpkins. First, pre-K students enjoyed a story called ‘Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat’ by J. Chung then decorated pumpkins. Next, we took pictures near a huge tractor, jumped in the bounce house and played on the playground.”
Pre-K student Bristol Hughes said the book that was read to them was about trick-or-treating.
“At the pumpkin patch, we read a book called ‘Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat,’” Hughes said. “In the book, the letters of the alphabet all dressed up in Halloween costumes and climbed up a tree to go trick-or-treating. The book was very fun to read, and it made me laugh a lot.”
Kindergarten teacher Renea Getts said the students had a great time at the pumpkin patch.

“The students enjoy story time, plus they get to keep a pumpkin they decorated with Halloween stickers,” Getts said. “They also get to have a snack, walk around the pumpkin patch to see the different types of pumpkins, jump around in the bounce house and play on the FUMC playground. The bounce house is definitely their favorite part.”
She said this is an annual event.
“We get to visit the pumpkin patch because the FUMC invites us every year to give the kids a fun and exciting experience,” Getts said.
Kindergarten student Gannon Owen said he learned about pumpkins.
“At the pumpkin patch, we learned how pumpkins grow,” Owen said. “First, pumpkins start out as a pumpkin seed that you are able to eat. Next, pumpkins get bigger and turn into a small green pumpkin. Then, the pumpkin gets bigger and bigger until it turns orange.”
First grade teacher Tiarra Truette said the pumpkin patch always gives the students a memorable time.
“The pumpkin patch was a lot of fun,” Truette said. “The kids always love decorating pumpkins and jumping in the bounce house. We visit every year because it’s fun for the kids and close to school.”
First grade student Jolee Wuthrich said her favorite part was decorating her very own pumpkin.
“I had a lot of fun decorating my pumpkin with stickers,” Wuthrich said. “I put a tiny witch hat on the stem of the pumpkin. Then, I used two bat stickers to make the pumpkin’s eyes and used the mouth from a pumpkin sticker to make the real pumpkin’s mouth. The pumpkin looked very good when I finished decorating.”