October 15 & 16, 2011 at 10 am and 1 pm

Over 300 children participated in 2010. We hope they had a great time. If you would like to share any pictures, please email them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

This is a FREE activity to promote good, wholesome family fun.

The “Great Pumpkin” will hide bushels of warty gourds at the Eighth Annual Gourd Hunt at Bemis Farms Nursery. The event will be held rain or shine in the park-like setting of the nursery. The Gourd Hunt is FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Children will have the chance to see the “Great Pumpkin” wandering around as they hunt for gourds, so cameras are encouraged. There should be plenty of whimsical photo opportunities, as children may take home all of the gourds they can carry, which leads to some pretty ingenious methods of collection that are photo-worthy.

The number of hunts has been increased to two days due to tremendous participation. This assures that all children have a chance to gather plenty of gourds, regardless of the pace in which they hunt. Tina Bemis said "I have been communicating with the Great Pumpkin via the Grapevine. And I heard it through the Grapevine that all of the rain this summer has created a bumper crop of gourds, and that the Great Pumpkin has great plans to hide them creatively among the shady pine and oak trees...”

It's like an Egg Hunt but with gourds. All you can carry!