Pumpkin Picking at Epiphany Parish

Who says pumpkins are hard to come by in downtown Walpole?

Epiphany Parish in Walpole has hundreds of pumpkins for sale in all shapes and sizes at their annual pumpkin patch, a tradition at the church since 2006.

"Our parish decided that they would like to support this vision of having this happy place for the community to come to during the month of October. Thus, our pumpkin patch was born," said organizer and church member Pam Driscoll.

The pumpkins are sold by size with prices ranging from $1 to $25.

They are harvested in New Mexico on a Navajo Reservation. The church will send a portion of the proceeds back to the Reservation to help fund education, job training and basic necessities.

Last year, Epiphany was able to send over $12,000 to the Reservation.

They also sell mums and corn stalks which are grown by Pioneer Farms, in Walpole.

The Epiphany Parish Pumpkin Patch is open every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Halloween, Oct 31.

"Last year we were able to donate our leftover pumpkins to many different organizations including a food pantry in Attleboro, a farm in Norton that cares for abused farm animals, the Norfolk County Agricultural School and a family who uses the seeds for their daughter to help alleviate symptoms from Lyme Disease," said Driscoll. "We have had birthday parties, bridal pictures, and even had a family stop by the pumpkin patch on their way home from the hospital with their newborn baby."

Epiphany Parish is located at 62 Front Street next to the Walpole Common. 

"The pumpkin patch is a bit like a local coffee shop. The community has shared all kinds of stories, both inspirational and heartbreaking while there. Children run freely so excited to find their perfect pumpkin. We have gotten so much more out of the pumpkin patch than we ever intended. There's something magical about being amidst thousands of pumpkins in such a beautiful, serene space. It's unexpectedly therapeutic," she said.