PANAMA CITY BEACH – Spend some time in a family circle with the return of Camp Helen State Park Pumpkin Patch.
“We’ll have other pumpkins, white pumpkins and mini pumpkins, plus pumpkins,” said Courtney Harper, executive director of Friends of Camp Helen.
Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers’ 1,800 pumpkin truck will arrive at Camp Helen State Park, 23nine37 Panama City Beach Parkway, on October 1. Friends of Camp Helen State Park will be installed in the Pumpkin Patch from 9 am to 4 pm daily until October 31. – or until they run out. All major credit cards and cash will be accepted, only in the exact currency.
“Last year we were sold on October 15th, but this year we have a few more. We were told they had a healthy harvest this year. We’ll have pumpkins for sale starting at 50 cents more,” Harper said. would be based on the total length of a pumpkin. “But the pumpkins will be outside and to take pictures when the park opens, at 8am until sunset. We’ll have hay bales and scarecrows, opportunities to take smart pictures. “
The pumpkin field, however, will look a little different this year, with measures of social estating in place. Everyone is encouraged to stay aside and take care of only the pumpkins purchased. Posters will be placed in the park with protective instructions.
“We ask others to stand in a six-foot area. We will have gloves and mask for volunteers,” said Harper, who added that visitors are not required to wear a mask (although he recommends dressing up in one if he finds he can’t walk away socially. )
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Pumpkin sales and donations will pass to Friends of Camp Helen State Park, the citizen organization that helps the Florida Park Service preserve, restore and improve the park.
“We didn’t have any typhoon damage, but we had to cancel a few occasions because of COVID this year, like everyone else,” Harper acknowledged. “We hope that with the extra pumpkins, this will make up for it. We also look forward to having some small festive opportunities at the Lodge this fall and winter. “
Coinciding with the launch of the pumpkin box, the rangers at Helen State Park camp will drive a moonlight paddle into Lake Powell starting at 7 p. m. nine o’clock on the 2nd and 3rd of October.
“We’re not complete yet,” said Harper, who added that 10 options would be accepted for the show’s night.
Lake Powell, the largest dune lake on the Florida coast, is one of the most ecologically varied lakes in the world. This rare herbal phenomenon appears in award-winning manufacturer Elam Stoltzfus’ documentary “Coastal Dune Lakes – Jewels of Florida’s Emerald Coast”. which aired in April 2015.
The Moonlight palette driven by a ranger will come with a brief protection review and give participants the ability to explore the rarity of the coastal dune lake under an almost complete moon.
The $30 program includes a boat, paddle, life jacket, light bar, souvenir whistle, in front of the park and a donation to the Friends of Camp Helen. Outdoor boats are not allowed. Participants must be at least 12 years old and have previous kayaking experience.
“We ask you to delight a little with the kayak, that you have already done so,” Harper said.
Places are limited and advance reservations are required by calling 850-233-5059. This year’s kayak rental procedure has been adjusted to the COVID-19 guidelines.
“We have no contact. Let’s make reservations and make the waiver without papers,” Harper said. “Once we have it booked, we take out the kayak, vest, paddle and whistle and ask the visitor to take it. year we have souvenir whistles that everyone can take home. When you’re done, bring everything else and leave it in the bank. A kayak attendant will disinfect the kayak, paddle, vest and seat before each use. “
The park has 19 single kayaks, five tandem kayaks and six state padel forums that can be rented.
“This year, we continued to hire kayaks and paddle boards during the fall seven days a week, from nine a. m. to five in the afternoon,” Harper added.
Rental costs are $15 consistent with the time for a single kayak, while state and tandem kayaks are $20 consistent with the hour. All major credit cards are accepted or an accurate replacement is required for money payments.
Camp Helen State Park is just west of Lake Powell Bridge and borders Lake Powell, Phillips Cove and the Gulf of Mexico. With the water tower, rainbow huts, recreation room and duplexes, the historic district of Camp Helen is included in the National Register of Historic Places.
The 180-acre park is rich in herbal and cultural resources, from Oak Canopy Trail, which winds through a seabed to the site’s rubbish and prehistoric mounds, indicating that the domain inhabited more than 4,000 years ago.
Species such as bald eagles, ospreys, fishing martins, Cooper falcons and many migratory birds can be seen in the park. Beach birds come with each and every tern, plover and white plover.
Camp Helen State Park is open from 8 a. m.
Camp Helen State Park Pumpkin Plot
When: nine a. m. to four p. m. 2-31 October or until the pumpkins run out
Where: 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach
Details or updates: 850-233-5059, Camphelenfriends@gmail. com or Facebook. com/FriendsOfCampHelenStatePark/