Fall into fun at the Harvest Festival

Lorrie Reyes / Roundup

Temperatures rose to the upper 90’s during the Farm Center’s fifth annual Halloween Festival, which opened Thursday and runs through November 1, at Pierce College.

Despite the heat there were numerous families that withstood the blaring sun in hopes to get a jump-start on the festivities that the season had to offer.

While the catchy bluegrass music that blared throughout the 22-acre farm echoed to the distance corners of the festival the co-workers searched for any inch of shade to keep cool.

One Pierce College student who will be attending the festival is the newly hired pony ride attendant and current Veterinary Technology student, Stacie Wight, who has previously helped the Farm Center in the past and is excited to be working at the festival.

“We provide a positive atmosphere to the community,” Wight said.

In addition to pony rides other popular day time activities include the Corn maze, pumpkin picking, with pumpkins as large as 85 pounds, a bungee bounce, carousel, a petting zoo, with newly built suspended walkways for the goats, and a variety of other events that are sure to keep a kid’s eyes brightly lit at each turn of the head and perfect for the entire family.

As dusk arrives the feeling of fall finally begins to settle in as the air begins to cool.

As the wind picks up and the children’s activities close so the popular Creatures of the Corn Haunted Trail and the Night Adventure Corn Maze during Fright Fair Scream Park After Dark can open.

The Factory of Nightmares haunted house, which has new scares and will be much scarier than last year, according to third year seasonal co-worker Michelle Romine, will open its doors tomorrow.

Admission to the Halloween Harvest Festival for both the day and evenings is $4.
But, attraction tickets must also be purchased for each activity which range from $10-$20 in the day and $12 to $30 at night.

There currently are no student discounts for Pierce College students.

“We are not giving student discounts [for the Halloween Harvest Festival],” said Kathy McBroom the Farm Center manager.  Students and faculty do receive discounts on produce in the Farm Market McBroom reiterated.

With no discounts being given to Pierce Students and the same general concept as previous festivals what would make a Pierce student attend the festival this year?
“I’m not sure if I will be going,” said full-time Pierce College student Pablo Saldarriaga. “Money is a little tight this year and I’m not sure if it’s worth it.”

Although prices seem steep, having to pay $12 if you only go to one attraction plus an entrance fee, the Farm Center has a way to balance a portion of the scale with a Metro Pass discount.

Admission to the festival is free if you present a MTA ticket dated the same day as entry date. A $2 coupon off general admission to the Fright Fair Scream Park After Dark can also be found at the festival’s website.

 

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