Annual YMCA Pumpkin Patch Set to Open at Simon Meadow

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Though some people have been sipping on pumpkin spice lattes since mid-August, fall is now officially underway in Pacific Palisades, and with it comes the return of the Palisades-Malibu YMCA pumpkin patch.

The pumpkin patch will open for the 2024 season on Saturday, September 28, at Simon Meadow with two 18-wheeler semi-trucks full of pumpkins.

“Join us at our annual pumpkin patch for some fall fun,” Palisades-Malibu YMCA said in an event flyer. “See you at the patch.”

The patch will be open from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, through October 31.

Last year’s patch included pumpkins, corn and more—from knucklehead pumpkins, warty minion pumpkins, “show stopper” Big Mac pumpkins and, for the first time, white pie pumpkins.

Some of the pumpkins at the patch are grown in the Palisades by longtime resident Bruce Schwartz who donates them to be sold. He grows them in a space near Pierson Playhouse, as well as outside of a home on Almar Avenue.

The patch serves as one of YMCA’s biggest annual fundraisers, alongside the tree lot, which will return this year as well, Palisades-Malibu YMCA Executive Director Jim Kirtley previously explained to the Palisadian-Post.

“This goes to help all kinds of programs,” Kirtley said in 2023 of the fundraising efforts. “It helps provide financial assistance for [Youth & Government], it goes to senior memberships … everybody and anybody who is in need. [The patch] allows us to be able to do the impactful programming we have.”

Interested parties are invited to reserve field trips to the pumpkin patch between October 1 and 31, Monday through Friday, with three time slots available: 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Palisades-Malibu YMCA will also be hosting a Graveyard Smash on Saturday, October 26, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Simon Meadow. Inviting the community to partake in some “fall spooky fun,” the event will include a costume contest, “ghoulish” games, face painting and trick-or-treating.

Santa Monica College will host its annual Glass Pumpkin Sale at the patch on Sunday, October 6, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“The SMC Glass Pumpkin Sales are wonderful opportunities to buy handcrafted glass pumpkins,” read the SMC website. “Each pumpkin is a truly unique work of art that can enhance fall-season home and office decor, as well as satisfy holiday and year-round gift needs.”

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the SMC Art Department as well as Palisades-Malibu YMCA.

Simon Meadow is located at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Temescal Canyon Road at 15551 Sunset Boulevard.