Pumpkin Days returns to Ian Deutch Park in Pahrump

A popular annual event returns to the community this weekend.

Officials with the Pahrump Disability Outreach Program, (PDOP), are inviting the community to their Pumpkin Days event at Ian Deutch Memorial Park, beginning today .

The PDOP program is described as a multi-faceted support group which provides information, education and training for parents of children suffering from any form of disability, without having to travel to Las Vegas.

PDOP President David Boruchowitz noted there will be additional features and attractions this year. The park is at 1600 Honeysuckle Street in Pahrump.

The event runs from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, while Saturday’s hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday’s hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Boruchowitz said.

“We have added new attractions, like we do every year,” he noted. “This year we have a new pumpkin carriage which was donated for the weekend. It came straight from Disneyland. We have also added an actual train with three cars that will be pulled around the entire park by an off-highway vehicle. We have also added to the hay pyramid, just to give it a couple of extra tiers. This event appears to be growing each year, and that’s the plan.”

Aside from the hay pyramid, Boruchowitz said families can participate in activities such as the petting zoo, pony rides and much more.

“We also have a lot of photo opportunities and we will have our PDOP fire truck at the park,” he said. “The Nye County Sheriff’s Office and the Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Services will also be here as well. Of course, we’ll have our crowd-favorite foods, where we have added snow cones, which is a new addition. The food is obviously very reasonably priced as well.”

Additionally, Boruchowitz spoke about another new feature to this year’s event.

“We are hosting a Friday night Pumpkin Talent Pageant,” he said. “We will see how it goes because it’s something we thought would be fun to add. It can be pretty much any kind of talent with no restrictions. They can come in costume and perform and there will be a cash prize.”

Boruchowitz said Saturday morning will begin with a bit of athletic competition, along with much frivolity throughout the afternoon.

“The ‘Monster Dash’ is scheduled for Saturday morning at 8 a.m.,” he said. “It’s a 5k Run/1 Mile family fun walk and has been a part of PDOP Pumpkin Days for many years. All proceeds from the race benefit the program. After the race, we will have many exciting door prizes to give away but you must be present to win. We will also have a children’s costume parade at 4 p.m. There will also be face painting, a haunted house and plenty of photo-ops.”

As Halloween is just around the corner, Boruchowitz said families can shop for pumpkins while at the event.

“It’s just in time for Halloween and the fall season,” he said. “The pumpkins range from small to medium to large and they are quite inexpensive. They are $1, $3 or $5 for the large ones. We can beat any price here in town for pumpkins which will be available throughout the weekend, just in time for Halloween.”

On the issue of rules during the event, Boruchowitz said attendees should just use their common sense.

“The only rule we have is for attendees to be well-behaved, and obviously no smoking,” he advised. “We have several hundred bales of hay on the grounds, and I don’t think Fire Chief Scott Lewis would look kindly upon people smoking at the park. Over the years, we have never really had any major problems at all, and everyone appeared to be well behaved.”

Regarding the ongoing PDOP program activities, Boruchowitz noted they are all-encompassing, including the ‘Life Skills Club.’

“That club has been in existence for several years under PDOP’s umbrella,” he said. “It’s a teenage club because it can be difficult to appeal to the little kids along with the teenagers and younger adults. It’s designed to help them prepare for the world and teach them the skills that are going to be necessary to survive and thrive.”

PDOP officials welcome all comments and suggestions.

For additional information on the PDOP program, call 702-516-0847 or email at staff@pdop.info

The standard mailing address is PO Box 2418, Pahrump, Nevada 89041. The organization’s website is pahrumpdisabilityoutreachprogram.com

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com, on Twitter: @pvtimes