Pumpkin Patch comes to Watford City
By Amy Robinson
Farmer Staff Writer
Pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins are the raging craze in Watford City as the Halloween season moves into full force. And for Ryan Seigfreid, co-owner of Pizza Pie on the Fly and Siggy’s Sandwich, you just can’t have Halloween without lots of pumpkins, which is why he created Watford City’s first pumpkin patch.
The month of October is giving way to Watford City’s 1st Annual Pumpkin Patch, which is being held right on Main Street, in the empty lot between Watford City Realty and the FR Clothing Store.
“I thought about having a pumpkin patch in Watford City last fall, when I noticed a lot of people asking if there was anything to do around here for Halloween, and the closest thing going on was in Bismarck,” said Seigfreid. “I wanted to be able to offer an extra activity for the kids. With school enrollment numbers up, especially with the younger grades, I thought it would be a good event to have that everyone would like, and it’s a way to raise money for local community groups that will be helping out.”
With the community’s continual growth and a need for more child-friendly activities, the 1st Annual Watford City Pumpkin Patch promised local families three full weekends in October filled with fall fun for all.
“I ordered over 1,000 pumpkins, over 20,000 pounds worth to be exact,” said Seigfreid. “They were trucked in for free from Billings, Mont., by WyoDak, a local company here in Watford City. All of my networth is tied up in pumpkins!”
The pumpkin patch opened for the first time this past Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11. It will be open for the next two weekends, Oct. 17 and 18, and Oct. 24 and 25, from noon until 7 p.m.
“I feel like everyone had a great time,” said Seigfreid, of the first official weekend the pumpkin patch was open. “We had 400 that paid! People stayed for hours and several people came up and thanked me for putting the event on.”
Families and children got to enjoy a pumpkin patch, carnival-style games, face painting, a couple of bounce houses, hay rides, corn-hole, bales of hay, and plenty of photo opportunities this past weekend.
“It was really fun,” said one child that attended the pumpkin patch with his mom and dad. “I picked out a big pumpkin and got my face painted.”
According to Seigfreid, Larsen Service Drug will also continue sponsoring different games over the next two weekends. And several local groups/organizations will be volunteering at the event. There will even be live music. Food will be on-site available for purchase, including pizza, nachos, pretzels, hot dogs, caramel apples, and hot cocoa.
“I have 40 pounds of Swiss Miss hot chocolate in my garage right now,” said Seigfreid, before kicking off the 1st Annual Pumpkin Patch, “and a huge load of prizes for the kids.”
The event costs $5 per person to get in, and children ages two and under will be free. Pumpkins will be available for purchase and the price is determined by the size of the pumpkin. Ghords and corn stalk groupings are also available for purchase.
“All proceeds from the gate fee will go back to the groups and organizations volunteering their time to work the pumpkin patch,” said Seigfreid. “Nat and I are excited to make this a great community event. I’m excited to continue seeing all the families of the community come out and make new memories. We like to give back to the community that has given us a lot - to a community that really supports us and our businesses.”
Seigfreid says he’d like to make this an annual event for families in and around Watford City. With this being his first year kicking off the pumpkin patch event, he hopes this year will be a good start to continue doing every year.
“I am really appreciative of the community groups and church groups that have stepped up to volunteer their time and make this event successful,” stated Seigfreid. “I’m thankful to the Stepping Stone Golf Course Community for donating the vacant lot. I’m thankful to the Sheriff’s Office for helping to coordinate the event. And I’m thankful to the City of Watford City for all of their support with this event. Without everyone involved, this event wouldn’t have come together.”