THUNDER BAY – A fall tradition will be coming to an end in October.
The annual Pumpkinfest at Gammondale Farms, which has featured everything from Canada’s largest pumpkin catapult to pumpkin displays, is coming to a close after 30 years.
Gerry Gammond, who owns the farm with his wife Sue, said that the end of Pumpkinfest coincides with the couple’s plans to cut back on the workload.
“Our age is creeping up a bit so we’re looking to ease into semi-retirement a bit,” Gammond said. “With this being the 40th anniversary of the farm, and also being the 30th year for Pumpkinfest, it’s a pretty memorable way to wrap everything up.
“It’s been a great fun thing for parents and grandparents to bring their children to and enjoy all the various activities here. It’s a nice old-fashioned thing to do and it’s simple. It gets everyone away from the malls, the computers and the screens to have some fun.”
Gammond added while Pumpkinfest will be wrapping up for good on Oct. 27, the farm itself will continue to carry on for as long as he and his wife are able.
“We’ve always done children’s birthday parties, school tours and parties and we may even be doing some small versions of those things in the fall now, but it would be through reservations or in smaller groups,” Gammond said.
“It’s a little easier to manage things that way and those are things we’d like to keep doing. We’ve always enjoyed having the children come out and having fun.”
When asked what has stood out the most from running Pumpkinfest for the last three decades, Gammond said it was seeing families come back year after year.
“Thirty years is a long time and we’ve had young children that worked here when they were students in school that are coming here now as parents to bring their kids to enjoy the activities that we have each fall,” Gammond added.
“It’s very nice to see them as they’ve grown up and they still like the place. They always come up and say ‘Hi Mr. and Mrs. G,’ which is what they would call us when they worked here.”
To celebrate those memories, the Gammonds have set up an anniversary memory wall in one of their barns and online for the public to share their favourite moments at the farm.
Jennifer Davis was the first to decorate the wall with photos on Wednesday. She volunteered at the farm as a kid and has been coming with her family to Pumpkinfest for the last two decades.
“There’s more and more people each year and more activities, but it’s the same view and the same feelings,” Davis said. “We love it here.
“Nobody likes ends or goodbyes and I think that everybody is going to be bringing their memories here and sharing them like our family is.”
Pumpkinfest officially starts on Sept. 28 and runs for five weekends.
Tickets for Pumpkinfest can be purchased on the farm’s website.
