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The Gourd Life

St. Luke’s pumpkin patch is a Kilgore tradition

BY LUCAS STROUGH lstrough@kilgorenewsherald.com

Fall brings changing colors and, in Kilgore, at St. Luke’s United Methodist church, there’s always a bright display of orange this time of year.

St. Luke’s Pumpkin Patch returns this year with all its familiar events and activities. There’s been a couple of changes, but the fall fun remains the same.

A downtown fall staple for more than 20 years, the Pumpkin Patch will still be held at St. Luke’s — but it has moved to the Activity Lot at the corner of Knowles Street and North Street, across from Kilgore City Park.

The church opted to move the location of the patch this year due to the long-term Main Street improvement project begun by the city in May, as the project may have some effects on traffic in the area.

The patch will open this year Thursday, Sept 30, and will run right through the fall season until its conclusion Sunday, Oct. 31.

The patch will be open from 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

PUMPKIN PATCH EVENTS

Sept. 29: Pumpkins are unloaded at 5 p.m.

Sept. 30: Pumpkin Patch Opening Day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 5: Party in the Patch from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Oct. 20: Pumpkin Carving Contest from 6 to 8 p.m.

Oct. 23: Movie in the Patch from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Oct. 27: Trunk or Treat from 6 to 7 p.m.

Oct. 30: Pumpkin Run 5K at 8 a.m.

The patch offers pumpkins for sale, from tiny to gigantic gourds. As always, the patch will be available for folks to take photos among the rows of fall-themed decorations, which this year includes a vintage pickup truck. Activities at the patch will also include a maze. 2021 marks the third annual Pumpkin Run/Walk 5K, which kicks off from the Pumpkin Patch and makes a course through downtown before returning to the church. The race proceeds will be used by St. Luke's UMC Youth group to engage in mission activities.

For more information on St. Luke’s events, visit www. stlukeskilgore.org and follow the patch on Facebook at PumpkinPatchStLukes and on Instagram @stlukespumpkinpatch for photos and updates.

NEWS HERALD FILE PHOTOS

For more than 20 years, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church has brought joy to the community with its pumpkin patch, also allowing the church to raise funds for missions and other things.