BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — Autumn is right around the corner, and as some of the trees in our area have started to change colors, many harvested pumpkins have already made their way to Papa’s Pumpkin Patch — which has opened for its 41st season this week.

What started out in 1983 as a small family greenhouse out in the countryside northwest of Bismarck has since grown into a popular venue for people of all ages to come out and find that perfect pumpkin to take home and decorate for Halloween. This year, they will have over 25,000 different types of pumpkins to choose from, and they also offer a large selection of squash and decorative gourds.

While the parents are hunting for pumpkins, kids can enjoy many different games and activities, which include swings, a mini-zip line, hay bale mazes, mini-golf and there’s even an obstacle course.

General Manager Cory Finneman, says all the hard work that goes into setting up the patch would not be possible without help from volunteers in the community. He adds that Papa’s Pumpkin Patch takes a community effort to sustain, and that they donate a considerable amount of their earnings back into the community.

“About 1,500 volunteers will help set up, operate, and take down the patch after the season,” he states. “We ask the community to help us create it and put it on, and then we give back to the community for those efforts. Last year, we were fortunate to give almost $100,000 to 70 local and regional charitable organizations.”

Papa’s Pumpkin Patch is now open daily from noon to 7 p.m. through October 19. The patch offers a wide variety of pumpkins in all different colors — and Finneman says for the first time a local farmer will be bringing in black pumpkins to display.

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