A Cal Poly Pomona tradition returns in October with the 22nd annual Pumpkin Festival at the Farm Store.
About 65,000 people are expected to visit the Farm Store during the festival, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 18 and 19. Admission and parking are free, but individual activities may have a charge.
The festival will kick off on Saturday, Oct. 18, with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. The cost is $5 for adults, and $4 for students, seniors, military, and kids 12 and under.
Thousands of pumpkins are available for picking and purchase straight from the patch for $5 each. Visitors are encouraged to bring wagons to carry the pumpkins, which are grown by Cal Poly Pomona on land in Chino. All proceeds support the College of Agriculture farm operations, and student clubs and activities.
Visitors can run through the 4-acre corn maze, see the animals in the petting zoo or ride horses. They also can play games at student-run booths, listen to live music, taste fresh-squeezed orange juice at the Farm Store or sample delicious treats for sale.
On Sunday, Oct. 19, the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department will set up an earthquake simulator and an emergency command post for the public to visit. Rescue 5, a rolling memorial to honor those who gave their lives on 9/11, will also be joining the event.
Free parking is available in parking structure on campus. A shuttle will run from the parking structure to the Farm Store.
The festival is one of four events scheduled on campus that weekend.
Thousands of live and preserved insects will be on display at the annual Insect Fair on Oct. 18 and 19 in the Bronco Student Center across the street on the main campus. Free parking is available in Lot C.
The ninth annual Matt’s Run, a 5K walk/run that raises money for student scholarships, will take place on Oct. 18.
Preview Day for prospective students also talks place on Oct. 18 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.