HPA Pumpkin Patch Festival Coming Oct. 19

The 23rd Annual Pumpkin Patch Festival, held by Hawai`i Preparatory Academy and sponsored by the school’s Ohana Association and Dr. Joan Greco, DDS, will be held Sunday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school’s upper campus.

Every year, the festival attracts thousands of attendees. It boasts of a pumpkin patch, which features locally-grown pumpkins, as well as a vast array of activities, food booths, and live entertainment.

This year, $20 keiki wristbands will be available that will give access to all the games and activities at the event. These activities include the climbing wall, horseback rides, laser tag, the Zoo Choo Tain, inflatable bouncer and new to this year, a 28-foot-high double lane slip ‘n slide, as well as much more.

In addition to activities for keiki, there will be live entertainment featured throughout the day. The line up includes the Honokaa High School Jazz Band, Ms. B and The Boys, and Mikiala Yardly and her trio.

Be sure to bring your appetite because the food options will be anything but limited. Food booths serving hamburgers, hot dogs, and local favorites like lau lau will be a nice place to begin. But it won’t stop there. You can also expect to see GJ Huli Chicken, ribs, and shoyu chicken, as well as foods with an Asian flare.

If you aren’t too full, you will also find a nice range of beverages and treats to help you cool off, including shave ice, Braddah Pops and ice cream.

As you wind down and begin to dream up of ways to carve your pumpkin, you should stop by the non-profit community organization tables hosted by this years festival to see the great things they are doing in the community and how you can help and get involved.

A grant from Recycle Hawaii and the HPA Ohana Association means that this year, the Pumpkin Patch will be a zero waste event coordinated by Noah Dodd, the Lower School garden coordinator, and Sam Robinson. Both will be on hand to offer their expertise and make it not only a fun day but an educational one.

The HPA Upper Campus is located on the corner of Kohala Mountain Road and Kawaihae Road in Waimea.

For more information, contact Pamela Heitz at pamelaheitz@sbcglobal.net or call (405) 740-4937.