Christine Carrillo Children with cobwebs and jack-o-lanterns...

Christine Carrillo

Children with cobwebs and jack-o-lanterns painted on their cheeks

searched the hay-covered pumpkin patch at the Environmental Nature

Center Sunday trying to pick up pumpkins half their size and

eventually uncover that perfect pick.

Parents closely watched as many of the smaller children, daunted

by the idea of trying to pick one up, discovered that the best way to

find the perfect pumpkin was to sit on it. Climbing over bushels of

hay and running around scarecrows, they sat on one pumpkin after

another before making the crucial decision.

With the need of many children to make their annual pumpkin

purchase, the Newport Beach center once again gave the community a

chance to pick a pumpkin, play games and learn about nature during

its annual Fall Faire and Pumpkin Patch event.

“Our mission is to provide quality education through hands-on

experience with nature,” said Bo Glover, executive director for the

center. “It’s great to be able to introduce so many people to

nature.”

For nearly 25 years the Newport Beach center has hosted the event

that gives the community an opportunity to get in touch with nature

and the center a chance to raise funds for its yearly operations.

But the day doesn’t end with pumpkins.

After moving past the pumpkin patch, families have an opportunity

to explore the nature center on a self-guided tour with the option of

stopping off at any of the nine craft booths along the way or merely

sitting on the sidelines taking in the smell of wood chips and the

sounds of the rippling stream.

Parents bounced their babies to the bluegrass beats resonating

through the trees and toddlers trotted along the trails leading their

parents to one craft station after another.

“It’s pretty fun and it changes a lot,” said 11-year-old Nick Verdugo of Costa Mesa. “I really like the fish prints ... I love the

clam chowder.”

With many booths offering donated food from local restaurants and

sale and auction items from various stores, many of the 3,000 guests

felt good about being able to help support the center with each and

every purchase.

“We came because [Nick] needed a pumpkin and I wanted to support

the [Environmental Nature Center],” said Kristi Verdugo, Nick’s

mother. “I just like to be here, to come and get away from the inner

city.”

While the event provides children with an opportunity to play

games and make crafts, many of the adults find the event rewarding as

well.

“It’s great coming here because it’s like a reunion,” said Costa

Mesa resident Mark Keys, who has seen people he went to high school

with nearly every year he’s attended the event.

While Keys enjoys visiting with old friends at the event, he says

that being there with his family is the best part. For him, just

watching his two daughters, 7-year-old Page and 4-year-old Megan,

partake in the different activities says it all.

“Just look at their smiles,” he said. “They couldn’t wait to get

here.”

While the center will begin planning for the 2003 event in

January, its main goal for the event remains the same as it has

always been.

“I think it’s important that it introduces a lot of people to the

center,” Glover said. “It is our fund-raiser, but it’s more like a

friend-raiser ... it’s something the whole community can benefit

from.”

* CHRISTINE CARRILLO is the news assistant. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4298 or by e-mail at christine.carrillo@latimes.com.