Pumpkin Squash Festival held through October at The Farm

CRAIG L. MORAN/ViewTwo residents at The Farm, from left, Ted and Fred will be available for visitors to pet during the Pumpkin Squash Festival, which will be held every weekend through Oct. 31. CRAIG L. MORAN/ViewThe Farm owner Sharon Linsenbardt and Amos the goat will be available to see visitors to The Farm, 7222 W. Grand Teton Drive. Advertisement

The brutal Southern Nevada heat has started to give way to a crisp fall wind. The pumpkins, squash and apple butter are ripe and ready to welcome the harvest season. And in the northwest part of the valley, Sharon Linsenbardt, owner of The Farm, a farm that produces eggs, jellies, fruits, and vegetables and plays host to any number of animals, is preparing for the upcoming Pumpkin Squash Festival, just as she has done for the past 42 years.

"I look forward to this every year," Linsenbardt said.

The festival, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every weekend through Oct. 31, began all those years ago as a simple pumpkin patch.

According to Linsenbardt, it has now grown into so much more. The Farm is located at 7222 W. Grand Teton Drive. Admission is free.

"Every year we get bigger, we add something new, even if it's small," she said.

The event features a patch of squash, long-stemmed pumpkins, carriage rides, a hay maze, a petting zoo and a concession stand.

"We have hot dogs, ice cream topped with some our fresh peaches," Linsenbardt said. "We also feature our sweet pumpkin chips, made from our crop grown in Utah."

North Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tem William Robinson said that he has enjoyed the festival for many years and hopes to see it continue.

"I think that it holds a value for the community," he said. "I go to the farm to buy eggs, which I probably don't need because of my cholesterol. But, the farm is a wonderful place."

For North Las Vegas-area resident Daina Godfrey, bringing her two young children to the event each year is a delight.

"There are not a lot of Halloween events in the area that I would deem family-friendly," she said. "Too many scary images. Even at the stores. It's all very scary. But I bring my kids here because they aren't assaulted with disturbing images ... just happy, smiley scarecrows and witches. They can pet real animals, and we can enjoy great, fresh foods."

Linsenbardt said that she fears the economy will keep people from attending the event, which could wreak havoc on The Farm, its animals and the future of the festival.

"We are struggling just like everyone else," she said. "If people don't support their local farmers and turn out as they have in years past, I don't know that we will be here a year from now."

Even with the economic outlook dim, Linsenbardt said she couldn't bring herself to charge admission for the event ... not yet.

"I don't want to have to do that," she said. "That would be a last resort move, and I don't think we are quite to that point yet."

Linsenbardt said there are very few family-oriented events that don't charge an admission price left in the valley, and she doesn't want to join the ranks of those who do.

"I enjoy what I do," she said. "I enjoy opening this place up to families. Watching kids choose a pumpkin and pet our rabbits or goats or chickens. All the good things in life are free, and these are definitely the good things."

Contact North Las Vegas and Downtown View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.