Soggy fields cancel first weekend of Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival in Manatee County

MANATEE — The first weekend of the planned six-day Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival has been canceled by wet grounds, according to a post at noon Saturday on its Facebook page.

“Due to already severe flooding, and pouring rain (Saturday), we have to cancel the Pumpkin Festival for the whole weekend. ... We are extremely sad to deliver this news. Thank you those of you for the well wishes and the understanding that we can’t control the weather.”

The festival at 5500 County Road 675, Bradenton will continue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the two following weekends, Oct. 17-18 and 24-25 if no other days are lost to rain.

Hunsader Farms wanted to reopen Sunday after bringing in pumps to drain grounds under water.

“We’ll see everyone the 17th-18th and 24th-25th. Please help spread the word,” the Facebook post concluded.

The festival has 100-plus craft booths, live music and shows, pumpkins, charity pumpkin games, Pioneer Trades Village, hay and pony rides, chainsaw sculptor, corn maze, scarecrow displays, food, drinks and homemade ice cream.

Admission is $10, parking $5 and children 12-under get in free.

Information: 941-331-1212 or 322-2168.

This story was originally published October 9, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Soggy fields cancel first weekend of Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival in Manatee County ."