Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch : Longmont, CO
A Fall Event for All Ages
Aside from the main road through Rocky Mountain National Park, there are three roads out of Estes Park. I normally take Highway 34 back to Loveland. A couple of days ago, I took the Peak to Peak drive down to Boulder, and today, I drove down Highway 36 to Longmont. Being a neophyte to the region, I am always exploring
As I neared Longmont, I saw what appeared to be a county fair just off the road. Lots of people were milling around, attendants were directing vehicles into makeshift parking areas, and I could see a variety of bightly colored amusement park rides. Yep, from the road, it looked a lot like a small version of the Teton County Fair.
I did a U-turn to investigate!
After being directed to a parking spot, I grabbed my camera and joined the crowd.
I felt like I had walked into a Hallmark movie set. The colors were bright, the light was crispy clean, kids were laughing, and I could hear the screams of the little ones on the kids sized roller coaster. It was literally a cornucopia of color, kids, sights, smells, and sounds. My camera would be in for a good workout!
During the summer months, the Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch opperates as a roadside fruit stand. In mid-September and running through the end of October, the ranch is transformed into a major roadside attraction featuring, of course, a mass quantity of pumpkins.
The bightly colored kid’s rides add to the fair like feel.
There are no admission fees to attend the event. Just drive into the entrance and be directed to a free parking spot. Kid’s rides and a walk through the maze requires purchased tickets. Of course, food, souvenirs, and pumpkins are available at a cost.
As you might expect, there is an abundant array of traditional orange pumpkins. Pick your perfect pumpkin, and if you need them, purchase pumpkin carving tools in the transformed fruit stand.
I never knew there were so many varieties of pumpkins and gourds.
And, they come in a lot of sizes.
If you need a way to carry a load of pumpkins, they have that problem solved!
Kids were having a blast. Parents had to frantically “herd cats” as the bright colors and shapes drew them to other areas.
Parents attempted to pose their children on the tractors, amongst the pumpkins, and in front of the many photo booths. There were plenty of little cuties, including the small toddler of the left, interested in the rock.
It would have cost me a bloody fortune to buy this many pumpkins for a “specialty fall shoot”. At this event, all I had to do is roam around and find interesting compositions. The pumpkins in many areas are beautifully and artistically arranged.
Abstracts and textures abound! I could have easily filled all of my digital cards.
This place, at this time, is a feast for the eyes.
This youngster seems to be on a quest to find the perfect pumpkin. The shot gives a reference for scale and size of the pumpkins.
These photos were taken with a Sony A1 mirrorless camera and a Tamron 35-150mm lens. At 35mm, the aperture opens to an F/2, allowing me to work with a very shallow depth of field when needed.
The Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch been around a long time! Even though their site says “since 1993”, this truck door sign looks even older. Check out the phone number on this hand lettered sign. I would speculate it dates to a time when all calls went through an area switchboard and operator.
Click Here for more information on the Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch. The site has more information about times and dates, and map. It’s not too late! You’ve got until October 31st to visit the ranch.