Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival draws thousands to east Bradenton in final weekend

By Liz Ramos
| 2:26 p.m. October 26, 2024

Myakka City's 7-year-old Ryder Tripp and 1-year-old Rowan Tripp take a ride in the cow train.

East County
Neighbors

Myakka City's Danielle Tripp watched as her son, Ryder Tripp, and daughter, Rowan Tripp, rode around in the children's cow train at Hunsader Farms.

Ryder Tripp, who is 7, threw his arms up in the air while 1-year-old Rowan Tripp smiled as they passed their mom.

Attending the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival Oct. 26 brought back childhood memories for Danielle Tripp at the festival she also attended as a child.

She remembered the corn on the cob and other festival foods and drinks. Her children's favorite is the lemonade, she said.

The Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival was family fun for thousands in its final weekend.

It was a first for Lakewood Ranch's Chris and Miya Voigt and their 7-month-old daughter Freya Voigt. They headed into the pumpkin tent to find the perfect pumpkin.

"We didn't know it was going to be this big," Miya Voigt said. "Seeing all the animals and pumpkins is special."

Sarasota 10-year-old Jaxson Colon gives it his all when slamming the hammer down.

Sarasota 2-year-old Gia Colon shows off the painted pumpkin on her cheek.

The train is one of the most popular attractions at the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival.

Ruskin's Jesika Peterman, Elizabeth Sacia, Aeriel Sacaia and Rachel Peterman pick out the largest pumpkins so they can have as many seeds as possible.

Scarecrows are everywhere at Hunsader Farms, but this one is off to federal prison.

North Port's Inna Bauman, 2-year-old Jackson Bauman and Rus Bauman try out a tractor.

Matching outfits are a must for Bradenton's Tim Cloninger, James Winkles, 7-year-old Rogan Winkles and Mercedes Winkles. This year is matching pumpkin shirts.

Hillsborough County's Makenzie Strange and 1-year-old Braxton Carroll check out the variety of pumpkins available.

Lakewood Ranch's Chris Voigt and his 7-month-old daughter Freya Voigt and wife, Miya Voigt go the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival for the first time. "We didn't know it was going to be this big," Miya Voigt says. "Seeing all the animals and pumpkins is really special."

St. Petersburg 3-year-old Dylan Craig and his 1-year-old brother Jack Craig search for the perfect pumpkin. Jack Craig is celebrating his first birthday at Hunsader Farms.

Port Charlotte 1-year-old Krew Washington and Bre Washington go to the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival for the first time. "He loves pumpkins," Washington says.

Bradenton 9-year-old Macie Gore races around a track.

A donkey enjoys a day in the sun during the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival.

Sarasota's Mark Beauchamp feeds a donkey with his 5-year-old daughter Everleigh Beauchamp.

Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival attendees make their way through the craft vendor area.

Bruce Sarafian juggles with fire, amazing the crowd.

Tabytha Burrill has fun with her mom Jess at Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.