Pumpkin Palooza Kicks Off Fall Season At Frerichs Farm

For several years now, Pumpkin Palooza has been the kick off to the fall season for local farmers and community icons, David and Barbara Frerichs.

Despite flocks of birds that decimated their corn maze earlier this year, and the recent wind and turmoil of Hurricane Irene, Pumpkin Palooza went ahead as planned on Saturday.

Visitors to Frerichs Farm explored Charlie Brown's pumpkin patch, "flew" on the witch's broomstick, and checked out the western town. In between those activities, kids (and parents) could stuff their own scarecrow, decorate a pumpkin, or take a ride on the Magic Pumpkin Coach or Snap The Dragon.

While the kids were enjoying their activities, many of the parents were loading carts with mums for planting at home.

David Frerichs said he was very happy with most of this year's crops.

"The mums are very large this year, and the pumpkins are excellent, with nice stems and great color," said Frerichs.

Which was some consolation to the farming family, as for the first time ever, their much-loved corn maze was decimated by crows and redwing blackbirds just as the seedlings started to emerge.

"I've never, never seen anything like it," said Frerichs. "Literally thousands of birds settled in over a few days and demolished it."

Frerichs said he was bothered by the fact that they didn't have a corn maze to offer kids this year, but was looking into ways to keep the birds away in case they decided to return next spring.

In the meantime, the Frerichs' plan to enjoy their new grandson (baby Thomas arrived two months ago) and prepare themselves for the granddaddy of all events, the annual Pumpkin Weigh Off, to be held this year on October 8th.

Frerichs Farm has hosted the Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Grower’s Annual Weigh Off for the last ten years. As an internationally registered and sanctioned weigh site, the Frerichs are required to hold the Weigh Off that weekend, and every year, thousands of people visit the Farm to enjoy the festivities.

Pumpkin Palooza will continue on weekends through the end of October.