Hundreds of children and adults have ridden and tromped through the pumpkin patch and grass maze at Dennis McGarrah’s farm east of Pea Ridge this year. Pumpkins, squash and gourds of many different varieties garnered their attention, including a couple of more than 200-pound pumpkins.

There was acorn squash, butternut squash, bat wing squash, baby boos, Jack-be-little pumpkins (miniature pumpkins) and Atlantic Giants, which weigh more than most of the children admiring them.

The 30 acres is flourishing, but would not have been this year had it not been for the well McGarrah said he put in several years ago.

“I had a farm at Lowell for 12 years and moved up here four years ago. I guess I had a following,” McGarrah said. “It took us eight years to develop this ... we wouldn’t have nothing if it hadn’t been for the well we put in.

“This spring, we had enough rain in a week for the whole summer.

Many a drought has started with aflood,” he said as he grimaced, recalling this summer’s drought.

“Today we’re picking tomatoes and peppers,” McGarrah said, in anticipation of the predicted freezing temperatures the middle of this week.

“The frost won’t hurt the pumpkins,” he said.

McGarrah’s nephew, David Lopez, was taking admission Monday, greeting the visitors. Some of Monday’s visitors were from Fayetteville and from Orange, Texas.

There is a $5 admission fee which entitles the bearer to $6 worth of tickets to be used towards pumpkin purchases and/or rides.

Children 2 and younger get in free.

There is a children’s mule train ride, a grass maze, tractor-pulled hay rides and a picnic area. The Pumpkin Patch is open 1-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

News, Pages 1 on 10/18/2011