Local churches have thousands of pumpkins for sale

If it is October, then it is time for the parking lots at two local churches to go orange.

Summerville United Methodist Church on 32nd Street in Phenix City and Edgewood Presbyterian Church on Macon Road in Columbus are continuing a tradition by featuring a Pumpkin Patch.

“We have got 1,500 pumpkins of all sizes,” said Summerville pastor Brady Baird. “We hope people will come by and find one suitable for their family.”

Also on hand are pumpkin cookbooks and T-shirts.

Baird said the money raised at Summerville goes to support area mission projects including Valley Interfaith Promise.

“The money helps the needy,” Baird said.

This is the fourth year that Summerville is selling pumpkins.

“It is really a cool thing, certainly a lot of fun,” Baird said.

He said every Saturday there will be entertainment for the family.

“It is a good way to connect with the community,” he said.

The patch at Summerville is open through Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. If a school or another group wishes to come earlier, then call Dimple Davis at 706-593-9101.

The Rev. George Haugen is not sure how many pumpkins will be at Edgewood, but it will be plenty.

“There are enough to fill an 18-wheeler,” he said. The tractor-trailer from Oklahoma was scheduled to arrive Saturday.

The patch at Edgewood will be open Oct. 8-Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Each Saturday, we will have something special,” Haugen said.

For example, on Oct. 14 there will be a fall festival and on Oct. 21 a vendor fair. The church youth are planning something for the next weekend.

As did Baird, Haugen said the pumpkin sale is a good way to connect with the community.

Haugen said the money raised from the sale of the pumpkins will support the many missions the church supports “all over the world.”

“We have a lot of pumpkins,” Haugen said. “We are eager for people to come get some and have a good time, too.”

This story was originally published October 6, 2017 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Local churches have thousands of pumpkins for sale."