Pumpkins, Fun Await Families

The Great Pumpkin’s going to need a Filofax to keep up on his appointments this weekend. Besides the gazillion or so parking-lot patches that typically spring up this time of year, there are several harvest-themed events at which visitors can stock up on pumpkins and family fun at the same time.

Here’s a look at some of the bigger ones:

Fullerton Arboretum Arborfest

Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

1900 Associated Road, Fullerton.

$3, free to children under 12.

Call (714) 773-3404.

Features: Children’s pumpkin-patch tour, plus tours of Heritage House, the 1894 cottage of Fullerton’s first physician, George C. Clark. Also, horse-drawn hay rides through the 26-acre site, children’s crafts and a petting zoo. (Pumpkins will be sold at the arboretum Oct. 15 through 31.)

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The Environmental Nature Center Fall Fair and Pumpkin Patch

Sunday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

1601 16th St., Newport Beach.

Free.

Call: (714) 645-8489.

Features: Pumpkin patch, handmade crafts and gifts, native plant and seed sale, harvest foods and bake sale, plus tours of the 2.5-acre nature center and hands-on science projects for children. Proceeds benefit ENC.

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Giant Pumpkin Festival in Blakey Historical Park

Sunday, Oct. 16, from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

8612 Westminster Blvd., Westminster.

Free.

Call (714) 898-6112.

Features: Pumpkin-decorating contest, giant pumpkin contest, children’s games, farmhouse and museum tours, a home-style ham dinner ($5, or $15 for a family of five) and a visit (2 to 3 p.m.) from Power Rangers knockoffs.

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Pumpkin City’s Pumpkin Farm

Daily through Oct. 31, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Laguna Hills Mall parking lot, at El Toro Road exit in Laguna Hills.

Free.

Call (714) 586-5862.

Features: Barnyard animals, pony and elephant rides, appearances by Marvel comic book heroes Wolverine and Spiderman, live music and a smattering of carnival rides. Oh, yes, pumpkins too.

(Pumpkin City also has smaller setups through Oct. 31 in Santa Ana at Metro Town Square Shopping Center on Bristol Street between Sunflower Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard, in Laguna Niguel at Plaza de La Paz center on La Paz Road and in Mission Viejo at Portola Plaza on Los Aliso Boulevard and Santa Margarita Parkway.)