Pumpkin Patch

Searching for the perfect pumpkin for your frightful jack-o'-lantern this Halloween? Go right to the source this fall and visit a pumpkin patch! A trip to a pick-your-own patch is a pleasant way to enjoy a spectacular autumn afternoon. Come October, farms across Canada open their doors to the public for pumpkin picking and so much more. Meet the animals that live there, play a game of pumpkin bowling or survey the fields on a hayride. We've got everything you need to hit the road. Our ready-made favourites and easy-to-transport turkey sandwiches make for a perfect picnic. We also have some tips on selecting and carving pumpkins and trivia tidbits to entertain the kids on the way.

Picnic Plan

Pack a picnic of snack foods that require minimal preparation. Don't forget the spoons!

Jell-O Pudding Cups
Maxwell House Café Beverage Mix (keep warm in a thermos)
Christie Teddy Grahams Cookies
Handi-Snacks Cheese 'n Crackers

Pumpkins Revealed

Pumpkins are actually fruit! Their seeds make them a member of the cucurbita - or gourd - family, which includes squash, cucumber and melon.
The largest pumpkin in North America weighed in at 1,262 pounds in Canby, Oregon in 2001. That's a lot of pie!
The jack-o'-lantern originates from an Irish myth about a man named "Stingy Jack" who tricked the devil and was sent into the night with only a burning piece of coal to light his way. He put the hot coal in a carved out turnip and still roams the earth to this day. To scare away Jack and other wandering spirits, the Irish carved scary faces into turnips and potatoes, placing them in windows and doorways.