Fall festival, pumpkin patch and fun run Oct. 3

Staff Reports

Volunteers are hard at work preparing for the Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Oct. 3 at Lampe Park Pavilion in Gardnerville. This annual event is in its 14th year, and is sponsored by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's 4-H program, Douglas County Parks and Recreation, and Joe Benigno's Tree Service.

"It's always a lot of fun," said Shannon Montana, Douglas County 4-H youth development coordinator, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. "We'll be overflowing with pumpkins, as well as a lot of other family fun."

This year's event will feature a costume contest at noon, a fun run, food, a raffle, a silent auction, horse rides, face painting, a petting zoo, a cakewalk, and carnival games. Smokey Bear will also be on hand. Martial artists and gymnastics groups will perform demonstrations throughout the day and the Sheriff's K-9 demonstration unit will be on hand with live demonstrations.

"We always enjoy partnering with Parks and Recreation to put this on. For the fourth year, Joe Benigno's Tree Service is generously donating the pumpkins that will be sold for our 4-H fundraiser, and hosting the prizes for the costume contest," Montana said. Benigno is providing prizes for the costume contest and has arranged for members of the fire department to judge it. The youth costume contest is noon at the pumpkin patch. Everyone is welcome, and admission is free.

"The Fall Festival has become a tradition here in Douglas. It's a perfect way to enjoy the gorgeous fall weather and get together with your family and neighbors," Montana said.

There are nominal fees for food, pumpkins and some activities. For more information, contact Montana at University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, 782-9960. To pre-register for the fun-run only, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 782-9828.

Fun Run

The Douglas County Parks & Recreations Fall Pumpkin Run begins at 10 a.m. Oct. 3 in Lampe Park. The fun run costs $3 for children preschool through fifth grade. Register at recreation office, 1327 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville.

Races are in distances determined by age. Participants receive ribbons with prizes going to the top three runners of each heat. First place wins a turkey, second wins a pumpkin pie, and third picks a pumpkin. All prizes must be claimed by the final race.

The fun run is sponsored by Costco and Walmart. To help sponsor the event, contact the recreation department at 782-9828.