Pumpkin patch popular

Hundreds of people visited a u-pick pumpkin patch near Anna when it opened for the season Friday and Saturday, Sept. 21-22.

The pumpkin patch is a project sponsored by the high school youth group at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Anna. The patch is located along Illinois Route 146 about 1 mile east of the Walmart supercenter store in Anna.

Organizers say that each year, the pumpkin patch expands its appeal to young people and adults. A free corn maze is a popular addition for 2012.

St. Mary’s Church has been encouraging the project for its young people for several years. The project gives young people and their parents an opportunity to work together on an important, and fun, project which also offers a service to the community.

The u-pick pumpkin patch allows customers an opportunity to walk through a pumpkin field to find their perfect pumpkin. Customers also can choose from presorted, prepicked pumpkins.

Mums, straw bales, corn stalks, gourds and other items also are being sold this year.

The patch is scheduled to be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following Saturdays: Sept. 29, Oct. 6, Oct. 13 and Oct. 20.