Launch of Great Park Jack-O-Lantern Starts Countdown to Great Park Pumpkin Harvest on October 20

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Great Park Jack-O-Lantern took flight today to mark the unofficial start of fall and the launch the countdown to the fifth annual Great Park Pumpkin Harvest on Saturday, October 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year's Pumpkin Harvest will feature a variety of activities and family entertainment, including free pumpkins from the Great Park Pumpkin Patch for all children 12 and under, while supplies last.  Admission to the Pumpkin Harvest is free and parking is $10.

At Pumpkin Harvest, visitors dressed in costumes will receive a raffle ticket with a chance to win a four-pack of tickets to How to Train Your Dragon Live at the Honda Center (January 17-20). Visitors to the Pumpkin Harvest can take the train ride to the petting zoo and pick up goodies in the Trick-or-Treat Town. Children can enter a scavenger hunt, participate in the harvest walk and enjoy the Monster Mash puppet show.  Visitors can also enjoy cooking demonstrations, wander through the hay maze and enjoy delicious selections from local food trucks. 

While at the Great Park Pumpkin Harvest, visitors can also vote for their favorite scarecrow created by organizations in support of the Second Harvest Food Bank and Great Park agricultural programs at the Scarecrows in the Park contest.

"The Pumpkin Harvest is one of our most festive events, with family-friendly entertainment, including carnival-style games, arts and crafts activities, master pumpkin carver demonstrations, a scavenger hunt and more," said Beth Krom, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation. "To brighten the season for others, visitors are encouraged to bring canned food items to the Pumpkin Harvest to benefit local food banks and help families in need throughout Orange County during the holiday season."

Pumpkin Harvest to kick off month-long Great Park Food Drive

This year, the Pumpkin Harvest will also serve to kick off the Great Park's month-long food drive. Visitors are encouraged to bring canned or non-perishable food items whenever they visit the Great Park beginning October 20 at Pumpkin Harvest and continuing through November 18.  Collection bins will be located at the Sunday Farmers Market and the Great Park Visitors Center. The Great Park Food Drive will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank and Orange County Food Bank.

The Orange County Great Park is located at Sand Canyon and Marine Way, and can easily be reached by the 5 or 405 freeways.

For more information, visit, please visit www.ocgp.org or call 866-829-3829.

About the Orange County Great Park

Hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over Southern California enjoy the Orange County Great Park's array of recreational and educational opportunities, including panoramic views from the iconic Great Park Balloon that rises 400 feet in the air.  Other Great Park features include the Carousel, Farm + Food Lab, Kids Rock Playground, Walkable Historical Timeline, Palm Court Arts Complex, North Lawn recreation area and historic Hangar 244.  In addition to free sports clinics, gardening workshops, weekly Farmers Market and other community events, the Great Park hosts an annual series of special events that provide unique experiences for the entire family, including the Growing the Park: Anniversary Celebration, Great Park Pumpkin Harvest, Great Night! Family New Year's Eve and the Flights & Sounds Summer Festival. With its approximate 1,300-acre master plan, the Great Park is the centerpiece of the redevelopment of the publicly-owned portion of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. For more information, please visit www.ocgp.org.

SOURCE Orange County Great Park