Seasonal Spice: Dilworth Pumpkin Patch

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -

This is WBTV Community Web Producer Jessica. I'm on a mission tofind fun or quirky places on my lunch break, after work, on the weekends any time is a good time toaddsome seasonal spice to life.

October 1: the start of my "fall flavor" mission. I know fall started September 22, but it feels official now.

There are lots of reasons to be excited in October: the crisp fall air, leaves turning, hot apple cider on a cool night, patios that will soon be abandoned until springtime, Halloween looming ever closerand pumpkins.

Who doesn't love a good pumpkin patch?

Monday,I went by the Dilworth Pumpkin Patch. It's right at the corner of East Boulevard and Scott Avenuenext to Jersey Mike's, across from Brixx and catty-corner to Starbucks. (You can't miss it!)

The pumpkin patch has popped up around this time of year for the last four years. It's actually part of Holiday Trees, LLC, run by James Dixon. He's a banker in Charlotte by day, but he started his tree farm in college, and it stuck. The farm is just across the state line in Virginia and Dixon goes up there at least once a month to check on his farm.

Here's the really cool thing I learned while talking to Dixon: he doesn't just sell pumpkins and trees for a profit. He does a lot with local nonprofits donating the proceeds, helping them set up fundraisers, and using his farming gift as a helping hand for those in need. This year, he's working with several local churches, and Hoskins Park Ministries an organization that works to help homeless men in the Charlotte area. They are still firming up the details for their fundraising efforts this year, but I'll pass them on when I learn more.

I had fun wandering around the pumpkin patchin the chilly afternoon air- though it was difficult to stay away from the coffee just a few steps across the street. (I resisted!) There are oodles of pumpkins there, just begging to be taken home.

If you're looking for a fun excursion for the family or if you just need to get out of the office for a few minutes, the Dilworth Pumpkin Patch is worth it. Sure, you can pick up a pumpkin at the grocery store but why not make it an adventure instead?

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Seasonal Spice: Dilworth Pumpkin Patch