Plenty of pumpkins at Popes Upick as the calendar flips to October
With the calendar flipping to October, finding the right pumpkin for Halloween gets added to a lot of peoples to do list.
If opening weekend at the third annual Pope’s Pumpkin Upick at Belleisle Farms was any indication, New Brunswickers are wasting no time ensuring they have the right pumpkin.
“We have weather on our side and the pumpkins this year we had a great yield,” says Belleisle Farm owner Sean Pope. “They are in great shape and they got good colour.”
Located just west of Sussex, N.B., Belleisle Farms showcases one of the largest pick-your-own pumpkin spots in the province, with nearly 10,000 options available in multiple varieties. Pope says this past weekend was the busiest he has seen in his three years of doing this.
The farm also boasts the perfect fall backdrop for family pictures with a variety of displays, a hay maze, and wagon rides around the property which keeps both the visiting kids and owner busy.
“The tractor didn’t shut off on the wagon rides from 11 until ten-after-four,” jokes Pope.
Outside of the pumpkins, which range in price from $3 to $12, everything on site is free. Cash is required to purchase pumpkins.
Pumpkins are the main attraction to the farm, and everyone has a different preference for the perfect jack-o-lantern.
“I want one that is big but also round, so tall but also really round,” says youngster Dyson Cullins.
“I want a big one with no cracks and like not be very very dirty,” says his friend Kaiden Smith.
Others take a more simple approach.
“(I get) the biggest!” says Rylee Spencer. Her younger sister, Ryan, simplifies the process even more.
“I just walk around and find one,” she says.
For mother Samantha Edwards, it’s about finding a pumpkin her kids will enjoy.
“Definitely like the shape and the brightness of it matters,” Edwards says. “The kids like to get ones that are good carving material.”
Pope says when growing them, he looks for one simple thing.
“Uniformity and a good handle,” he says. “If you see a good green handle and it’s stocky you know it’s going to last and you’re going to get good shelf life out of it.”
Pope’s Pumpkin Upick will be open again next weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including Thanksgiving Monday. Pope says any pumpkins remaining after next weekend will be taken to various stores in the area.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre supports Israel 'proactively striking' Iranian nuclear sites to defend itself
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is supporting Israel's right to defend itself against Iran following last week's ballistic missile attack, saying that right includes 'proactively striking Iranian nuclear sites and oil installations to defund the terrorist regime.'
Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm. Florida orders evacuations
Florida's storm-battered Gulf Coast raced against a Category 5 hurricane Monday as workers sprinted to pick up heaps of appliances and other street debris left over from Helene two weeks ago and highways were clogged with people fleeing ahead of the storm.
'Selfish billionaire': Chip Wilson's mansion vandalized after political sign erected outside
Days after a political sign was erected outside Lululemon founder Chip Wilson's Vancouver mansion, the waterfront property has been vandalized with graffiti.
'Feel free to get naked,' witness testifies Toronto councillor told her during 'networking' weekend
Toronto Coun. Michael Thompson 'forced himself on' a woman who awoke to find him standing over her after she fell asleep drunk, the Crown alleged Monday, as the five-day sexual assault trial of the six-term politician began in Bracebridge, Ont.
Is Disney World still open as Hurricane Milton strengthens to a Category 5?
Despite Hurricane Milton evolving into a Category 5 storm, Walt Disney World Resort remains open to the public and will operate as normal. However, the park announced Monday a few closures in an abundance of caution.
Disgraced former Winnipeg football coach sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual assault
A disgraced Winnipeg high school football coach convicted of sexual assault and luring will spend 20 years behind bars.
Two people injured in apparent road rage incident, shooting in Toronto
Two people are in hospital after they were chased and shot at in what appears to be an act of road rage before eventually flipping their car while trying to escape, police say.
Sammy Basso, longest living survivor of rare rapid-aging disease progeria, dies at 28
Sammy Basso, who was the longest living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has died at the age of 28, the Italian Progeria Association said on Sunday.
Prayers, protests and police as Canada marks anniversary of Oct. 7 Hamas attack
With prayers, protests, and a heavy police presence, Canada has marked the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and triggered an ongoing war.