Press

October 16, 2009

Listen to an interview with Ron Lanza - Wooden Valley Winery, Victoria Erickson - Erickson Ranch and Dahlia Garden, and Tracy Ellison - Suisun Valley Agricultural Ambassador

A day of veggies and crafts - The Reporter

By Kimberly K. Fu
Posted:09/28/2009

Sophia Deguzman, 8, of Suisun City, works with clay with the help of Tyler Roble on Mankas Corner Road during the fourth-annual Fun Family Farm Days on Sunday. (Gilberto Ramirez/GRamirez@TheReporter.com)

As autumn gained a toehold in Solano this weekend, the temptation of ripe, homegrown produce and farm-style fun lured a steady stream of visitors to Suisun Valley on Sunday for the second Fun Family Farm Days event of the year.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., droves of children and adults braved the 100-degree heat to sample fresh-picked fruits and veggies, build scarecrows, jaunt through corn mazes and enjoy other types of entertainment offered at more than a dozen establishments throughout the valley.

At the Suisun Valley Pumpkin Patch on Suisun Valley Road, for example, best friends Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Apaka, both 3 1/2 and of Fairfield, happily painted tiny pumpkins called "bumpkins" just outside a sky-high corn maze. As Ryan lacquered his mini pumpkin a scary black, Jessica daintily washed hers first a brilliant purple, and then a peacock blue.

Best friends Ryan Reynolds (left) and Jessica Apaka, both 3 1/2 of Fairfield, paint Ã’bumpkinsÃ“ Sunday at the Suisun Valley Pumpkin Patch on Suisun Valley Road. (Gilberto Ramirez/GRamirez@TheReporter.com)

"Shoo, fly!" Jessica admonished as she continued her careful detailing of the teacup-sized fruit. Ryan, meanwhile, relished watching his friend's work.

"I think Jessie's coloring hers like I did," he said proudly, before demanding the return of his nearly-dry pumpkin so he could write his name on it in a bold flash of pink.

"It's a good thing for kids... and we're glad to have a nice pumpkin patch here," said his dad, Ray Reynolds.

The patch, owned by Howard Babcock, opened Saturday, and featured dozens of types of gourds and more than 20 types of pumpkins. There was also pumpkin bowling, a hay pyramid for climbing, a scarecrow gallery and corn mazes full of signs stating fun pumpkin facts, like the largest pumpkin ever weighed 1,689 pounds.

A 60-foot-long pumpkin monster, with a steel head crafted by local artists Phillip and Chad Glasshoff, is expected to make an appearance next weekend. An exhibit of the artists' work is slated for mid-October.

Kristie Terry, daughter of the patch's owner, said the family had 30 vacant acres and decided to turn 20 acres into something fun for the community.

"It's kind of an experiment," Terry said, regarding what appeals to the community and what doesn't, as well as what type of produce inspired or deflated. For now, fun seems to be the name of the game with any profits taking a back seat. Entrance is $3, though you get a free "bumpkin" to paint. And the produce is sold at rock-bottom prices.

"We want it to be affordable," Terry emphasized. "And we want it to be fun for families."

Dozens gathered at Castaneda Brothers Produce on Rockville Road for a storytelling hour compliments of Cordelia library's "Miss Kristin." Suisun residents Mikaela and Danilka Foronda, 5 and 2 1/2, sat enthralled as the librarian imparted produce-inspired stories, apparently unaware that, at the end of the session, they and other young participants would be receiving an additional treat.

"The important thing about being out here is providing books for the kids," Miss Kristin said, explaining that the children would be gifted with a book of their choice.

Across the street at The Vegetable Patch, activities unfolded all day. From watermelon seed spitting contests to scarecrow-making, taiko drumming and demonstrations by the Solano County Sheriff's Office K-9 team, something always engaged the senses.

In a copse of trees, the Norway family of San Francisco gamely built a pair of scarecrows. Lana Norway casually dressed one straw man as her husband, Danny, costumed one resembling Spider Man. Behind them, daughters Enzi, 2 1/2, and Kimi, 6, wrestled in the grass and chased each other around the patch.

A taste of a strawberry from Saechao Farms at an event in Fairfield last month brought the family to Suisun Valley for more. They have since been up to the valley every weekend, enjoying the countryside and a change in their children's eating habits.

"They eat their vegetables now!" said Lana, adding that the girls love the taste of farm-fresh goods over store-bought varieties. The family plans to visit until the harvest season finally ends.

The third and last Farm Days event will be on Oct. 25.

Archives: 01/21/2009 - Suisun Valley's future explored at meeting; 1/17/2009 - Solano set to scrutinize Suisun; 1/31/2009 - Changes through the seasons; 10/2008 - The Producers; 9/01/2008 - It's farm fun in Suisun Valley; 8/10/2008 - A festival of flavor; 02/18/08 - Suisun Valley prepares to grow wine business; 3/27/2008 - Ripe Place at the ripe time
02/18/08 - Suisun Valley prepares to grow wine business; 6/22/2007 - Suisun Valley Wineries Open Co-Op Tasting Room; 8/27/2007 - Farms plant seeds for family outings; 8/27/2007 - A harvest of creativity; 3/23/2007 - National Agriculture Week celebrates puts focus on local farmers; 3/11/2007 - Time for a new approach? -- Suisun Valley wine growers seek different methods to grow business; 2/14/2007 - Ag ambassador making Suisun Valley a must-see destination; 9/2/2006 - Pick your own flowers; 9/2006 - A cornucopia of fruit/ Local produce sweet and plentiful; 9/2006 - Solano County grows grapes by the ton/ Many end up bottled in some of California's best vintages; 9/2006 - Cut & dried/Farm family's roots in fruit; 4/3/2006 - Welcome to Fairfield "LED" Sign; 3/24/2006 - Suisun Valley Committee wants wine tasting room; 3/24/2006 - Wine room is a great idea; 3/29/2006 - Agriculture to get close look; 2/5/2006 - Suisun Valley's Hidden, oily secret; 11/15/2005 - KCBS Treasure Hunt Promotion Concludes with V.I.P. Tour; 1/7/2004 - Jewels of Winter