When fall rolls into Texas, cool weather usually isn’t the first sign. But when pumpkins start appearing on front porches across Central Texas, it’s clear that despite the heat, the season has arrived.
For nearly two decades, Central Christian Church has helped usher in that fall feeling in Waco.
“This is our 19th year,” said Senior Pastor Brian Coats. “Over the years, it’s evolved. Now it fuels our youth ministries and supports Mission Waco’s Christmas toy store.”
Each October, the church lawn transforms into what many locals know simply as the "Pumpkin Patch Church." Coats said it takes more than two full semis of pumpkins to fill the space.
“You can buy a pumpkin at a store, sure,” he said. “But here, kids can play, take pictures, enjoy the music. It’s the experience that matters.”
Over time, the church has expanded that experience by adding photo opportunities, kids’ play areas and even movie nights in the patch.
That idea, creating an experience rather than just selling pumpkins, has taken root at farms across the country.
“Now, it’s an all-day event, almost like a mini amusement park at the farm,” said Taylor Huffman, co-owner of Western Belle Farm in West.
Huffman and her husband opened the farm four years ago, and each season they welcome thousands of visitors for hayrides, mazes, photo ops and the chance to pick their own pumpkin.
“We had so many repeat customers, we made a passport booklet,” Huffman said. “Some families have books that go back four years. We’ve watched their families grow.”
Huffman grows all the pumpkins sold on the farm and said her goal is to leave families with both lasting memories and a better understanding of agriculture.
About 40 minutes south of Waco, just outside Temple, Robinson Family Farm has leaned hard into that “mini amusement park” feeling Huffman describes.
Co-owner Helen Robinson said the farm has seen explosive growth in recent years.
“Since COVID, people want to be outside more, get the kids away from the screens,” Robinson said. “We built something for everyone.”
The farm’s fall festival began in 2013 with just balloon darts and a beanbag toss. Today, visitors can enjoy a petting zoo, bounce pad, skee-ball, tractor rides and even axe throwing and helicopter rides.
They’ve also added nearly a dozen photo stations — perfect for family pictures and Instagram posts alike.
“People are craving that fall experience,” Robinson said.
And while Robinson Family Farm features a bright orange pumpkin patch, she said that’s not really what they’re growing.
“You’ll see it on the barn,” Robinson said. “We grow memories.”
Got a tip? Email Molly-Jo Tilton at Molly-jo_tilton@baylor.edu.
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