Casper White, Knucklehead, Cinderella and Baby Bear may sound like characters in your favorite story, but they are also varieties of pumpkins. Pumpkins come in an abundance of colors, shapes, sizes and textures, and this is the perfect time to explore local patches to find the one that is right for you.  To help people experience agriculture in the state, the Colorado Department of Agriculture lists a variety of fall activities online at www.coloradoagritourism.com.    

“When the air gets cooler and leaves change color, families start looking for pumpkin patches and corn mazes,” said Wendy White, marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “There is nothing like walking through a pumpkin patch on a beautiful fall Colorado day, hoping to find that perfect gourd.”

Online resources include a list featuring corn mazes across the state as well as harvest festivals and pumpkin patches. The site also lists farmers’ markets, bird watching trails, wineries, breweries, agricultural festivals, ranch vacations and more.

Pumpkin Picking Tips: When selecting your pumpkin, choose a gourd that is heavy for its size, clean, well-shaped with no cracks in the rind and avoid those with soft spots or decay. More than just a beautiful decoration, pumpkins are nutritious. They are fat free, sodium free, a good source of Vitamin C and an excellent source of Vitamin A.

For more information, visit www.coloradoagritourism.com or call (303) 869-9175.