Hunsader Farms opens Pumpkin Festival this weekend

Attention pumpkin festival fanatics: the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival is open this weekend.

The annual East County festival was canceled last weekend due to the rainfall in the area during the previous week. The farm experienced flooding issues that prevented the festival from opening on the first weekend. But, with no rainfall since Sunday, Oct. 11, the festival is back on track.

“We are for sure open this weekend,” said Rachel Hunsader.

The festival is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Parking is $5 and admission is $10. Children 12 and under enter free. The admission includes activities like the hayride, petting zoo and pumpkin cannon. Entrance to the corn maze is an additional $2. The festival will be open the weekend of Oct. 24 and 25 with the same prices.

During Saturday’s festival, Hunsader Farms is also hosting the 14th Annual Manasota B.U.D.S. (Bringing Up Down Syndrome) Buddy Walk. On-site registration begins at 9 a.m., but online registration can be completed until 5 p.m. tonight. The one-mile walk begins at 11:15 a.m.