Approximately 100,000 people and two Hollywood movie studios cannot be wrong. Pumpkinville means Fall Family Fun in Western New York.
The 100,000 is about how many people visit the 200-acre regional tourist attraction during its six-week season each year. The two movie studios are how many in the last two years have partnered with Pumpkinville to promote their productions to family audiences. This year it’s Universal Pictures with the Curious George movie.
“From day one our goal was to create a family-friendly attraction, where we could sell the tens of thousands of pumpkins we grow right here,” said Dan Pawlowski, who owns the nationally recognized, agri-tourism attraction with his wife Diane and their children. “We’re grateful so many people visit and come back every year.”
Pumpkinville, the oldest, continuously working pumpkin farm in New York State, opens Sept. 16 and runs through Oct. 31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, rain or shine.
Every year Pumpkinville unveils new attractions, and 2017 is no different. The Apple Blasters are air-compressed guns that fire apples at various metal targets. The Goat-El is a new home for goats and other farm animals that visitors can feed.
Other attractions include the Pumpkinville Express Train, Punchin’ Pumpkin Maze, Pumpkin Jumpin’ Pillows, hayrides, Henhouse Five Review, Cow Train, Gem Mining, Storyland and much more.
Pumpkinville also offers lots of delicious food to eat while you’re there and to take home, highlighted by their famous pumpkin donuts. Other products include homemade pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, ice cream, old-fashioned Kettle Corn, caramel sauce and caramel apples, fudge, jam, maple products and much more.
“We’re always testing new recipes in the off-season to make sure we have something new and fresh for our visitors,” said Diane Pawlowski, who oversees the on-site bakery.
Visitors can watch apples being pressed into cider in the restored 1870’s cider mill. On weekends in October (weather permitting), take a helicopter ride and see the gorgeous fall foliage from above.
Don’t forget the main attraction – pumpkins! With more than 25 acres in the pumpkin patch, you’ll find the perfect pumpkins for decorating. Whether you like the traditional orange pumpkins or the many new types of size, color and shape, Pumpkinville will have it. All you need to do is select your own for a special jack-o-lantern, or choose from a variety of pre-painted pumpkins.
A former winner of New York State’s Agri-Tourism Business of the Year, Pumpkinville is just minutes from Ellicottville at 4844 Sugartown Road in Great Valley. For more information, please call 699-2205 or visit www.pumpkinville.com.
