After waking up yesterday morning to freezing rain, my enthusiasm for taking 30 kiddos and their parents out to the pumpkin patch waned more than a little.

But, as usual, Mother Nature remembered there was one of our events going on at 12:30 p.m. So, the rain broke and we had a totally GORGEOUS afternoon out at Shamrock Farms in Comox picking pumpkins, learning about their life cycles and feeding the barnyard critters.

We had such an amazing day, and I have to say that if you are looking for the perfect way to collect your jack-o-lanterns for the season, Shamrock rings true.

Everyone agreed – including my parents who are always here for the annual patch walk – that staying local brings with it the down home flavour of the Comox Valley, a more complete farm experience and not to mention the chance to meet some great local folks who take pumpkins and Halloween VERY seriously.

From the minute you turn into Shamrock (which is on Anderton Road just before Watrin Orchard), you are confident about the fun factor. Their huge barn and its giant witch are the focus, decorated inside and out in fantastically spooky fashion.

Pumpkins, garlic and lavender (Shamrock specialties) are everywhere and the kids are welcome to check out the chickens, wander the patch for the perfect pumpkin and admire the barn ghouls.

They have a patch of minis that is close in, for little legs, as well as a 5-acre patch where the sky is the limit. It’s, how do I say it, WOW!

So, get out there and do some jack-o-lantern collecting!

The patch is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October. You get to Shamrock by taking Anderton Road toward the Powell River Ferry and then making a left to continue on Anderton instead of heading down to the ferry dock. Shamrock is on the right (big signs, lots of pumpkins, hard to miss). If you go past Watrin’s Orchard on the left, you’ve gone too far. Admission is free. But, bring cash (no debit or credit) for your pumpkins…you may go home with a few more than expected.:)