The Hinesville Downtown Development Authority’s annual Pumpkin Patch was a bit different this year but still quite the success.

Due to COVID-19 regulations and guidelines families drove through Bryant Commons Park. Greeted by vendors families were treated to several treats.

Hinesville Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Michelle Ricketson said they had about 20 vendors at the event.

“They are handing out candy, crafts and activities for kids to take home since they can’t play together in the park today,” she said. “We normally have about 3,000 people come to our pumpkin patch. We prepared for 450 young people to give them packages from our sponsors.”

Ricketson said more than 100 packs with activity books, toys, candy and other items had already been handed out within the first hour.

“Everybody has been patient,” she said.

Ricketson added that they had hoped the pandemic would have lessened by now allowing them to host a larger event. She said events like the Pumpkin patch are typically planned months ahead of time, so they prepared with a plan A and a plan B.

“Because of social distancing we needed families to keep their family unit in their car,” she said.

She said the event was a good test run for their upcoming Scarecrow stroll on Oct 30. For more information on the Oct. 30 scarecrow stroll check out the story on page 7B of Wednesday's Coastal Courier.

See video from the event online at: https://coastalcourier.com/