Pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes and more: Hunsader’s celebrates 30th annual festival
The month of October doesn’t just bring the return of the Downtown Bradenton Public Market. It also sees an annual festival tradition back in the county.
Hunsader’s Farms is holding its 30th annual Pumpkin Festival for the last three weekends of October. Starting Oct. 16, the festival will operate 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 31 and have a variety of entertainment and vendors.
Admission is $12 and parking is $5, while children ages 10 and younger are free. The event is cash-only, though some vendors accept cards.
Hunsader’s, located at 5500 C.R. 675 in East Manatee County, will have hand sanitizer stations and other health precautions, but attending the pumpkin festival assumes all risks associated with COVID-19, according to the event website.
Some entertainment includes motorcycle stunts, monster truck show, motorcycle thrill show, circus, music performances and a world record juggler to name a few.
There’s also a corn maze and a train ride. The maze costs an additional $2 inside the venue, while the big train ride costs $3. A children’s train ride is $2.
Dogs are allowed per the following the guidelines: they’re kept on a leash and picked up after.
Additionally, daily craft shows, trades villlage, hayrides, scarecrow displays, chainsaw sculpting, petting zoo and barnyard playground are daily entertainment options included with the admission price.
Fruitville Grove event kicks off this weekend
Like Hunsader’s, Fruitville Grove Farms is also celebrating more than three decades of holding a pumpkin festival. Their 33rd annual pumpkin festival is free to attend, though there is a $5 parking fee. It is located in Sarasota at 7410 Fruitville Road and begins this weekend, Oct. 9-10 and continues throughout the rest of the month.
Food and shop vendors are at both Hunsader’s and Fruitville Grove’s festivals. At Fruitville Grove, masks are required indoors and on their hayride.
For more information on Hunsader’s annual pumpkin festival, click here. For more information on Fruitville Grove’s pumpkin festival, click here.
This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 10:50 AM.
