Pumpkins, plants, face painting and a petting farm. Those are just a few of the highlights at the annual Pumpkin Patch, Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Davis Farmers Market.
The event, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., has all of the usual Saturday market vendors, with fruit, veggies, nuts, bread, breakfast, lunch and coffee. But this annual event has lots of extras that celebrate the fall harvest and mark the transition to a Winter Market schedule on Wednesdays. Come in costume and enjoy the many activities in Central Park, 301 C St.
Soroptimist International of Davis will have free pumpkins for youngsters, as well as face painting, pumpkin painting and games. Soroptimists work to educate and empower women and girls, and give out free pumpkins once a year to thank the community for supporting their beer and wine booth at Picnic in the Park. All profits from beer and wine sales go into Soroptimist programs like monthly mentorship at King High, grants for single moms, and their work to end human trafficking. The service organization is also a key supporter of Davis Farm to School.
Randii MacNear, executive director for the Davis Farmers Market, is grateful for the relationship. “For 25 years, Soroptimists have been a great partner to the market, supporting Davis Farm to School, and pouring great local beer and wine at Picnic in the Park. We appreciate all their volunteer work, and love that the money they make invests in dreams for women and girls.”
There’s lots going on, for children and adults. All About a Farm will bring its mobile petting farm, giving patrons a chance to pet clean, happy goats and other ranch animals. There’s also live music, with The Putah Creek Crawdads performing near the market shed, and the Regal Beezers playing at the large oak tree.
The Central Park Gardens, along Third Street, will host an open house and plant sale, starting at 9 a.m. Water-wise natives, perennials, herbs, grasses, vegetables, succulents and bulbs – many of which grow in the gardens – will be on sale. UC Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. See the new California Native Plant Garden, which showcases drought-tolerant, versatile and diverse plants that provide vital pollen and nectar resources for insects and birds.
Davis is known for its farmers markets. The Saturday market runs year-round from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Its Wednesday Picnic in the Park is open 4:30 p.m. to sunset, March through October. The Winter Market returns in November, from 3 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday. Partner markets are the UC Davis Farmers Market, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays on the Quad, fall and spring quarters; and the Sutter Davis Hospital Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays through October, at the hospital entrance. New this year is the market at the Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays.
