(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Continuing a beloved tradition in Southern Colorado, kindergarteners from Colorado Springs picked out the biggest pumpkin they could carry from Venetucci Farm on Thursday, Oct. 9.
Known as community icons, Nick and Bambi Venetucci started the tradition in the 1950s.
Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell
“This all started when Nick had a truckload of pumpkins driving down one of the main streets in Colorado Springs, and he saw kids on the side of the road, stopped the truck, and gave out pumpkins,” said Nancy Dallinger, niece of Bambi Venetucci. “[She] and Nick would be so proud to see that [the tradition] is continuing.”
Kindergarteners not only got to take the biggest pumpkin they could lift, but also learned about how plants grow, thanks to the Catamount Institute, which hosts the educational field trips.
Ezra, a kindergartener at Widefield Elementary, said he wants a collection of pumpkins this year, and the one he picked up from Venetucci on Thursday was perfect. “I like the shape and it’s really big for me.”
Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell
Catamount Institute is part of Generation Wild, a program created by Great Outdoors Colorado, which aims to get more kids outside. The mascot for Generation Wild also stopped by the farm to inspire those on the field trip.
“Wilder, who is our mascot, is eight feet tall, part Yeti, part mountain goat, but all friend and loves when kids spend time outdoors,” said Chris Aaby, Program Officer for Generation Wild at Great Outdoors Colorado. “Wilder represents the imagination that you can have when you play outside… and kids are always so excited to meet him.”
Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell
Aaby reflected on his younger years at Venetucci Farm and said that when he was in kindergarten, he loved visiting and picking out his own pumpkin.
“[It was] such a rush of getting to run out into the field and find that perfect pumpkin, and we get to see that with these kids today,” he said.
Venetucci Farm is located at 5210 South US Highway 85, Colorado Springs, CO 80911. In addition to weekday school field trips, the farm hosts a Pumpkin Fest every weekend in October. You can learn more at the link above.
