Celebrate Spooky Season at the Santa Monica Farmers’ Markets!
Back by popular demand is the spectacularly entertaining, one-of-a-kind annual All-You-Can-Carry Pumpkin Patch at the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmers’ Market (SMFM) on October 29 at 2nd street and Arizona Avenue. For a mere $5, market customers can wade into the huge market pumpkin patch and walk away with as many pumpkins as they can carry down a 25-foot runway. Who has more fun – onlookers or participants? It’s hard to tell, but everyone is sure to have a wonderful time at the pumpkin patch, which features the best, roundest, orange-est California-grown pumpkins you can find. The fun begins at 9 a.m., but get there early because the pumpkins run out quickly!
There are many pumpkin treats to be found at the SMFMs this time of year. In addition to tasty local produce, the Markets are also a great place to celebrate Halloween. On Saturday, October 25, there will be free pumpkin decorating for kids at the Pico Farmers’ Market, located at Pico and Cloverfield Boulevards at Virginia Avenue Park from 9 a.m. until the pumpkins are gone. Locally grown, bright orange, and perfectly round Baby Bear pumpkins are the perfect canvas for glitter and googly eyes. Create a princess or ghoul, the choice is yours, so bring the little ones to decorate a pumpkin masterpiece that will be admired by all of the trick-or-treaters!
Jerry Rutiz of Rutiz Family Farm at the Wednesday Farmers’ Market grows Baby Bear pumpkins. They are perfectly round, weigh about one-and-a-half to two pounds, and look like a smaller version of the classic jack-o-lantern. His farm, located in Arroyo Grande, has a wonderful pumpkin patch that many schools in the area come to visit. Baby Bear pumpkins are also great for cooking. The seeds do not have hulls and are wonderful for roasting. Simply remove the seeds from the pumpkin, clean them, place them on a cookie sheet with some salt, and roast them at 350 degrees for 10 – 15 minutes. They are delicious and will not get stuck in your throat as many other types of pumpkin seeds do.
If you would like more information on either of these events, please call 310.458.8712 x2 or email darra.adler@smgov.net.
