The first day of fall may still be a couple of weeks away, but we know some of you are already itching to hit local pumpkin patches. Luckily, one Kelowna farm is ready to welcome you.
Don-O-Ray Farms located at 3443 Benvoulin Road, is already bursting with pumpkins, gourds and squash, with even more set to arrive later on in the season.
The family-owned and operated farm is set to harvest seven acres worth of pumpkins this year (if the weather holds up) which will include six different varieties such as goosebump and cinderella.
“We grow many different sizes and types of pumpkins each year, it is a tradition we have built and one we always try to make better and better,” said Jas Sanghera one of the owners of Don-O-Ray’s.
“Fall is the best season to me, it makes so many people happy and we get excited about being a part of that, we want to be something that Kelowna and the Okanagan look forward to every season.”
In addition to batches of freshly picked pumpkins and decorative gourds arriving off the fields each day, Don-O-Ray’s offers an abundance of family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo which is set to undergo an autumnal makeover within the next few weeks.
“As the weather gets cooler people don’t know what to do with their families outside over the weekend, so it’s nice to be able to offer a place to do an outdoor family activity regardless of the weather,” said Gurraj Sanghera, Jas’ wife.
The farm will also be hosting a drop-in photoshoot event on Sunday, Oct. 22, where attendees can pay $25 for three high-resolution fall-themed photos and a pumpkin, between 10 am and 2 pm.
While Jas says they won’t have enough pumpkins to build their annual Halloween display until the end of the month, he assured KelownaNow that there are still plenty to pick up for your own decor.
“We won’t have everything fully harvested until just before Thanksgiving, but we are continually picking the ones that are ready and looking good,” he said.
“They are perfect for decorating your house for the season or themed parties, they also keep for a really long time if you dry them," added Gurraj.
And while you’re shopping for the perfect pre-Halloween and Thanksgiving pumpkins, you can also pick up some items on the grocery list, including pumpkin pie!
“We are trying to become a one-stop-shop for everything people need,” said Jas.
“We have fruit, veggies, bread, milk and homemade sauces, everything you might need and in a place that your whole family is welcome.”
Don-O-Ray Farms is open to help make your dreams of an early fall come true from 9 am to 7 pm, seven days a week.
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