FALL WEEKENDS IN SOUTHAMPTON, NEW YORK....PUMPKIN PICKING TIME!!!
It is September; the end of summer--all the crowds have left the Hamptons and things return to normal!
Well, that is what is supposed to happen; but for the past 18 years, things have changed and the crowds that stream into the Hamptons all summer now remain and even stay through the Holidays---Thanksgiving and Christmas are treasured here and the crowds remain for those special times too.
PUMPKIN PICKING TIME IN THE HAMPTONS!
Now, it is almost Pumpkin Picking Time and there is a place in Water Mill New York (just 1/2 mile East of Southampton Village) where the young and young at heart love to come to pick out their very own pumpkin---they pick out their pumpkin and then they stay and ride the wooden, handmade rides that were built just for this event! Games are available--large game tables built just for this event and give it a "Country Fair" feeling! The Three Little Pigs and other story-book characters are carved out of wood and painted in the best bright primary colors--they literally come alive for the little pumpkin pickers! There is now a new "maze"; new "curly rides", Education Stations have been added and cider and doughnuts are served up to the crowds...This is a real Country Fair!
Hanks Pumpkin Town has evolved over the years and is now the biggest draw of the Fall season---even more so than the leaf peepers; or maybe in addition to the peepers! www.hankspumpkintown.com/
Wood craftsmen created these trains, ships and other "rides" for the kids to climb and play on...it has become an unforgettable treat for many over the past few years! Each year, something new is added and the venue expands to allow for the crowds it attracts!
Memories are made of this sort of thing, and families come back each year for this very special event. It has become such a big attraction that the event now covers well over 8 acres of farm land and the cars park in the 3 acre parking lot and for miles along the road just to be within walking distance to the gathering. Hundreds of children and their families come to pick out the best pumpkin ever!
This event is located across the street from the brand new Parrish Art museum, and the Duck Walk Vineyards...Miles of farmland make these venues possible and allow for hundreds and hundreds of visitors each year. (Another post is coming soon on the new Parrish Art Museum. Target completion for the new building is Spring 2013.) Parking has been encouraged in the 5 acre parking lot, away from the roadside parking to make allowances for the new museum and its dramatic entry-way and approach to the new building.
HARVEST TIME IN THE HAMPTONS!
Nothing makes Fall fill the heart and mind like pumpkins do! The bright orange orbs come in all sizes and shapes but the best ones are those picked by hand and carried, usually with the help of an adult and a wheel barrow, to the car so that the lucky owner can go and play on the wooden trains, ships, castles and slides to their hearts content!
In the last few years, the fields have filled up with sheds for the organizing of this venue. 
Arts and crafts and other "learning" offerings can be found there too.
Wheelbarrows line the parking lot and wait for families to come to make their orange picks--making it easier for the crowds to select and roll their best pumpkins to their cars.
WAYS TO GET HERE
Many of the attendees are "Day Trippers"; they come from other parts of Long Island and even New York City. Some drive from New London Connecticut--taking the ferry boats to Orient Point and then the two smaller ferries to Shelter Island and then Sag Harbor.
The Ferry trip becomes a day filled with adventure and fun for all! Unforgettable events happen along the way: A baby seal bobs in the water; masses of jelly fish surface and the colorful display excites and repels at the same time! You may even see another ferry cross the water in the other direction, sea life abounds here and surprises await the ferry riders as they peer into the deep icy-blue waters.
Route 114 across Shelter Island to Route 25 to Greenport makes the drive an exciting one; The "Big Ferry" from New London holds 400 cars and everyone goes atop the ferry to see the views and enjoy a hot dog on board. The excitement builds as they near the Hamptons--Sag Harbor's "The Wharf" where ocean going vessels are quietly moored, waiting for the owners to set sail for a day at sea. There are so many yachts at this marina that it appears the whole world has arrived!
Then there is the Long Island Expressway--not as crowded as it was in the summer---fresh faces of children peer out the windows at the scenery flashing by. They can't wait for the thrill of their young lives: Pumpkin Picking at Hanks Farm Stand!!!
This is the place to be for Fall 2012; come and see the most beautiful offerings of pumpkins anywhere in the country! Drive here, take the ferries or come by boat; but come and enjoy this Fall event--an event you will never forget!
NOTE: Check local papers and websites for the dates of this event, www.27East.com, www.hankspumpkintown.com,Dan's Papers and Southampton Press.
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